
Shane van Gisbergen Shines Again in Chicago: Controversial End, Tempers Flare, and Future of NASCAR at Risk
2025-07-06
Author: Ying
In an electrifying race on Sunday, Shane van Gisbergen, affectionately known as SVG, made history once more in the Windy City, where he first captured the spotlight.
The New Zealand native added to his legacy by clinching his second victory in three years at the Chicago street course, leading comfortably when a caution flag altered the race dynamics.
SVG's achievement is monumental: he became only the second driver to sweep both an Xfinity and Cup weekend by winning each race from the pole, following in the footsteps of the legendary Kyle Busch in 2016. With this latest win, he stands tall as the most successful foreign-born driver in NASCAR Cup Series history.
"This place changed my life," reflected van Gisbergen, who admits he never planned on a full-time NASCAR career when he made his first appearance two years ago with Trackhouse Racing. "I never thought I'd be here full time."
A Shocking Turn of Events: The Controversial Caution
As van Gisbergen approached what looked to be a finish line victory, chaos ensued when Cody Ware experienced brake failure and collided harshly with the Turn 6 tire barrier. Remarkably, NASCAR only threw the caution after van Gisbergen crossed the start-finish line and received the white flag.
Had the caution come out earlier, fans would have been treated to an overtime restart—a thrilling scenario that many including Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick would have relished.
"I held my breath until I crossed the line, and seeing smoke ahead made it a huge relief when the yellow came out afterward," van Gisbergen admitted.
Tempers Ignite: Road Rage on the Circuit
Tensions run high on road courses, and Chicago was no exception. A post-race showdown saw Joey Logano confront Ross Chastain about an intentional bump. Logano expressed his frustration, declaring, "That’s twice this year on road courses I've been cost by Ross. I’m over it."
Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman also exchanged heated words after an on-track clash that left both drivers fuming about unnecessary contact. "I wasn’t expecting to be raced like that," Bowman noted.
A Fork in the Road: The Future of NASCAR in Chicago?
NASCAR's partnership with the Chicago Parks department, originally a three-year deal, is hanging in the balance as rumors swirl about relocating the street race to sunny San Diego.
This announcement has left fans and drivers alike pondering the future of the Chicago race. Trackhouse Racing's Justin Marks believes street races are vital for the sport, regardless of location: "Bringing racing to the people in the heart of a city is a positive move for NASCAR."
With the summer months approaching, decisions loom large for NASCAR, which typically announces its schedule by late summer. The city of Chicago has until then to make a case for keeping this iconic race.
As the drama unfolds and tempers cool down, the anticipation for the next race at Sonoma looms large, paving the way for another colorful chapter in the NASCAR saga.