Shane van Gisbergen still has half a season left in his first full year of NASCAR Cup Series competition, but the last four weeks have already justified his career change.

Van Gisbergen has won two of the last four races at the Mexico City road course and the Chicago street course. A pair of victories has him clinched in the postseason as a rookie, and one victory shy of being tied for the most in the series. The victory in Chicago made him the winningest foreign-born driver in Cup Series history, and he became the fastest driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2002 to win three races in his first 33 starts.

And all of this because van Gisbergen decided in 2023 to leave a highly-successful career in Australian Supercars to live and compete in the premier stock car series in the United States.

“It justifies, or backs up, why we’ve done it and why Justin [Marks] believes in me,” van Gisbergen said this week. “Justin looks like the smartest guy here after me locking into the playoffs, especially how dismal it looked early in the year. We all kept that belief. 

“Yeah, I feel like I made the best decision ever. I was really hating racing in Australia. I hated driving those cars. Now, I’ve never had so much fun racing, going to the racetrack every single weekend. I really love what I do.”

The success van Gisbergen is having on the road and street courses is to be expected, and it’s where Marks and the sponsors for van Gisbergen are getting their return on investment. But Marks still believes that van Gisbergen, 36, will develop into the complete package of a race car driver who can get the job done on ovals as well as road and street courses. Ovals, of course, make up the majority of the NASCAR schedule, whereas there are six road/street courses. 

Van Gisbergen isn’t exaggerating when he uses the word “dismal” to describe how his season started on the ovals. In the first nine oval races of the season (through Talladega in April), van Gisbergen had an average finish of 30.44 with a best finish of 20th at Darlington Raceway.

In the last seven oval races, however, van Gisbergen has improved his average finish to 22nd. His best finish is now a 14th in the Coca-Cola 600. 

“[Marks is] obviously very patient with me and knows that I’ll get there,” van Gisbergen said. “Obviously, I’ve had to deliver road course results to offset that a little bit, but he’s done what I’m doing. He was a NASCAR driver himself after being a sports car racer, and he knows how difficult this sport is. So he knows what I’m going through, and when I talk with him about my struggles, he knows what I’m talking about. It’s pretty cool to have a boss like that.”

Ovals are a work in progress for van Gisbergen, and that does include feeling like he’s doing a little more work than usual to try and get up to speed at those tracks. 

“Yes and no,” he said. “It’s just comfort. New experiences are always hard. When I went back to Darlington this year for the second time, I struggled there in the Southern 500 (in 2024), but in the race this year, I bent the car in practice, so we qualified badly. But in the race, we just got better and better as we went. It’s just when something is not new to you anymore, you’re more comfortable in that environment. I’m driving the same car every week with the same people, whereas last year I was chugging and changing. 

“This year is comfortable and I’m learning so much more.” 

Van Gisbergen will go for a season-tying third victory Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. A triumph would be a back-to-back feat for him and the No. 88 team.

Martinsville Speedway is one of the oldest tracks on the NASCAR schedule, and it was part of the original eight-race season in 1949. The historic half-mile hosts two Cup races every year and is part of the Round of 8 playoff round.

Since 1964, the track known as the ‘paperclip’ has given out a very special trophy to the winner — a grandfather clock. The first recipient was Fred Lorenzen, who won the 1964 race from pole position. He actually swept the Martinsville races that year, leading an astonishing 980 out of 1,000 laps between the two races.

The Ridgeway Clock brand that produced the iconic prize was later sold to Howard Miller in 2004, which has continued making the clocks, as well as cabinets and other pieces of furniture. 

Daniel Hemric, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

However, the company that supplies these grandfather clocks is set to close, per a recent report. President and CEO Howard J. Miller, the grandson of the 100-year-old company’s founder, claims it was “unsustainable” to carry on. 

He went on to say that they have been hurt by the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, making it far more expensive for them to purchase some essential components for the clocks. 

“Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations,” he said in a statement.

While Miller would still entertain offers, he has yet to find a new buyer for the company. It’s unclear what this means for the Martinsville clock tradition on NASCAR race weekends, but they can of course look for a new supplier if needed.

Public reaction

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacted to the closure with the following social media post: “Whomever makes the next version better make them exactly like the previous versions. Don’t get cute and f*** this up.”

Mike Joy, who is the lead commentator for NASCAR on FOX, also responded to the news, including a bit of history:

“When we first visited Ridgeway Clocks for TNN (early ’90s) the clocks were made there, and a star employee was chosen to present the special “Speedway Clock” to the race winner … When we returned for FOX (early ’00’s) the clocks were still assembled and finished in Ridgheway, using components made in China … When ISC (NASCAR) bought the track, they dissolved the association with Ridgeway Clocks. Drivers were mad, so ISC started buying finished clocks from stores to present to race winners … Howard Miller Co in Michigan bought the Ridgeway Clock brand and closed the factory in Ridgeway. The building is still abandoned … Today, Howard Miller announced (unless a buyer is found), it will shut down at the end of this year. Their brands, including Howard Miller, Ridgeway and Hekman will disappear. Very sad.”

Sonoma Raceway qualifying orders and practice groups for NASCAR weekend

NASCAR is rolling into the hills of California. The 2.52-mile road course of Sonoma Raceway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series West.

View the NASCAR qualifying order for Sonoma Raceway below.

Sonoma TV Schedule: July 2025 (NASCAR)

NASCAR Cup Series
Qualifying Order

Pos | Driver | Metric Score

1. Todd Gilliland
35.600

2. Brad Keselowski
34.300

3. Cole Custer
33.300

4. Austin Dillon
33.000

5. Noah Gragson
30.900

6. Carson Hocevar
30.800

7. Josh Berry
30.400

8. Michael McDowell
29.300

9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
29.200

10. Cody Ware
29.000

11. Daniel Suarez
29.000

12. William Byron
28.300

13. Justin Haley
24.700

14. Katherine Legge
24.400

15. Ty Dillon
23.600

16. Bubba Wallace
23.500

17. Austin Cindric
23.400

18. Erik Jones
22.900

19. Riley Herbst
22.400

Group 2

20. Chase Briscoe
18.800

21. Christopher Bell
18.600

22. Zane Smith
17.000

23. John Hunter Nemechek
16.500

24. Chris Buescher
15.900

25. Chase Eliott
11.800

26. Joey Logano
11.300

27. Ryan Blaney
10.500

28. Kyle Larson
10.000

29. Ross Chastain
9.400

30. Ryan Preece
9.100

31. AJ Allmendinger
9.000

32. Shane van Gisbergen
8.800

33. Kyle Busch
8.600

34. Alex Bowman
8.600

35. Ty Gibbs
7.100

36. Denny Hamlin
4.000

37. Tyler Reddick
3.600

NASCAR Xfinity Series
Qualifying Order

Pos | Driver | Metric Score

1. Sage Karam
39.800

2. Kris Wright
39.500

3. Austin J Hill
35.100

4. Corey Day
34.400

5. Josh Bilicki
34.100

6. William Sawalich
34.000

7. Anthony Alfredo
32.100

8. Ryan Sieg
31.100

9. Brad Perez
30.900

10. Connor Mosack
28.400

11. Jeremy Clements
28.300

12. Taylor Gray
27.400

13. Matt DiBenedetto
26.800

14. Riley Herbst
26.600

15. Ryan Ellis
26.500

16. Parker Retzlaff
25.200

17. Jeb Burton
22.200

18. Kyle Sieg
21.500

19. Blaine Perkins
21.300

20. Will Rogers
21.200

Group 2

21. Daniel Dye
18.700

22. Austin Green
18.000

23. Brandon Jones
17.100

24. Justin Allgaier
16.400

25. Alex Labbe
16.200

26. Christian Eckes
15.300

27. Dean Thompson
14.900

28. Josh Williams
14.000

29. Brennan Poole
13.000

30. Harrison Burton
13.000

31. Carson Kvapil
13.000

32. Shane van Gisbergen
11.200

33. Sammy Smith
7.000

34. Sam Mayer
6.800

35. Nick Sanchez
6.500

36. Jesse Love
5.700

37. Sheldon Creed
4.800

38. Austin Hill
3.700

39. Connor Zilisch
2.000

ARCA Menards Series West
Entry List

#1
Robbie Kennealy

#3
Todd Souza

#4
Eric Nascimento

#5
Eric Johnson Jr

#6
Caleb Shrader

#7
Corey Day

#8
Jeff Anton

#13
Tanner Reif

#14
Davey Magras

#16
Jack Wood

#17
Kaylee Bryson

#18
William Sawalich

#19
Christian Eckes

#23
Spencer Gallagher

#24
Tyler Reif

#25
Alon Day

#32
Dale Quarterley

#50
Trevor Huddleston

#51
Blake Lothian

#52
Ryan Philpott

#68
Rodd Kneeland

#71
Kyle Keller

#72
Jonathan Reaume

#77
Nick Joanides

#88
Will Rodgers

#05
David Smith

Sonoma TV Schedule: July 2025 (NASCAR)

Links

Sonoma Raceway | NASCAR | ARCA Menards Series

After an incident, Chase Elliott was worked up on the team radio

On Sunday, NASCAR raced on the Chicago Street Course. With a narrow track, blind corners and carnage to be likely, spotters are super important.

Chase Elliott was in a side-by-side battle outside the top 20 when a car spun ahead. The car was stuck in the tire barrier.

Elliott’s spotter jumped on the radio telling him to go right. However, Austin Cindric, the car ahead, checked up drastically. Elliott drove hard into his back bumper.

After the incident, Elliott was heated…

Radio communications

With a crash ahead, the spotter jumped on the radio, “Stay right. Stay right.”

Chase Elliott stated over the radio, “It’s killed. Absolutely killed.”

Elliott: “Is it pushed in bad on the grill, Alan?”

Alan responded, “It’s fine. The tires are straight. Run it.”

Moments later, Elliott was fired up, “I need to know somebody (expletive) crashed not ‘go right’ Like, something’s happened. Does me zero (expletive) good.”

The spotter returned with a simple response, “10-4.”

Watch the exchange below.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLyMpjnvpqn

Links

Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | NASCAR

NASCAR has announced that the Cook Out Clash will be returning to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem to open the 2026 season. The fast food restaurant chain Cook Out, which was founded in Greensboro, will return as the title sponsor.

The 2025 format featured a 200-lap main race with a 22-car field, determined by heats and a Last Chance Qualifier. It was the first time
Bowman Gray had hosted NASCAR’s top division in more than 50 years, with Chase Elliott winning over Ryan Blaney.

A cornerstone of NASCAR history, Bowman Gray has held races since 1949, with past Cup events from 1958-1971.

Press Release | July 10, 2025

Pit bike racing will be expanded at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, with SSR Motorsports coming in as the title sponsor and All Balls Racing joining as the presenting sponsor of the two-day competition.

Photo by Mariah Lacy/Courtesy of the AMA

This is a press release from the AMA

Pickerington, OH (July 10, 2025) — After a successful inaugural running at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days in 2024, pit bike racing will be expanded at this year’s event, with SSR Motorsports coming in as the title sponsor and All Balls Racing joining as the presenting sponsor of the two-day competition.

“With pit bike racing taking place on Friday and Saturday evening during Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution, we anticipate some outstanding battles for AMA No. 1 plates,” AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier said. “We greatly appreciate SSR Motorsports and All Balls Racing for their support of this expanded racing effort!”

Eight classes will compete for AMA national titles, with the No. 1 plates on the line in the 110 Stock, 110 Stock Unlimited, 12-Inch Open, Vet, Vintage Minicycle, Women, Trailbike and Industry classes.

For more information on pit bike racing at VMD, visit VintageMotorcycleDays.com/racing/pitbike-racing/.

SSR Motorsports has emerged as one of the top manufacturers of pit bikes and dirt bikes since its creation in 2002. Visit www.ssrmotorsports.com/ for more on SSR Motorsports.

All Balls Racing is a major brand in the aftermarket powersports industry and is one of the largest global suppliers of aftermarket parts for the powersports industry. Learn more about All Balls Racing at www.allballsracing.com/ .

Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution has plenty of other exciting happenings, with North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, vendor displays, demo rides and much more! Stay tuned to vintagemotorcycledays.com/ and the official VMD social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for all of the details.

Click here for more Press Releases on Cycle News.