On Saturday, Shane van Gisbergen etched JR Motorsports (JRM) into NASCAR’s history books with a masterful Chicago Street Course performance. The three-time Australian Supercars champion seized his second consecutive Xfinity Series win here, delivering Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team an unprecedented sixth different winner this season.
The victory shattered NASCAR’s single-season record for most drivers winning under one banner. Van Gisbergen joined Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Kyle Larson, and Daniel Suárez in JRM’s 2025 winners column while extending his Windy City dominance.
Late Restart Heroics Cement Shane Van Gisbergen’s Street King Status
Van Gisbergen’s path to victory required conquering teammate Connor Zilisch in a two-lap shootout. A late caution for Andre Castro’s crash erased Zilisch’s two-second lead, setting up a final restart with two laps remaining. The three-time Supercars champion pounced instantly.
He dove inside Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevrolet through Turn 1, making contact that forced the rookie against the wall. “I guess I should have just not let him get to my bottom,” Zilisch admitted post-race. “I was clear there, just barely on the front straight, and just let him get to my inside, and he took advantage of it. I should have been a little more aggressive there.”
Van Gisbergen’s flawless execution through Turn 2 sealed the win despite Zilisch’s pursuit. The veteran’s street-course experience showed as he held off the charging rookie through the final sector.
The restart that sealed the deal. pic.twitter.com/jfcI3HPtT8
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 5, 2025
“I thought it was gonna be a lost cause when the strategy went wrong, but it worked out well, thanks to JRM, car was a rocket,” van Gisbergen said. “We had tire grip at the end. Really cool battles there with everyone. I enjoyed it.”
His comeback from mid-race setbacks showcased why Chicago remains his domain. Van Gisbergen has had three wins since 2023, including both street-course victories in the Xfinity Series. The New Zealander’s ability to adapt his racing style from Australia’s Supercars to NASCAR’s street circuits continues to impress.
Historic Milestone Caps JR Motorsports’ Dominant Surge
Van Gisbergen’s triumph marked JR Motorsports’ 97th Xfinity victory and ninth this season. More significantly, it achieved what no team had done: Six different winners in one year. Crew chief Corey Shea notched his second win with the No. 9 team after guiding Suárez to Mexico City glory.
Shane van Gisbergen wins again on the streets of Chicago, he has now won 3 of the 5 NASCAR races held at the track.
SVG is the sixth different driver to win for JR Motorsports in 2025, the most by a team in Xfinity Series history. pic.twitter.com/tbXuTvWcj7
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) July 5, 2025
The win completed a dominant Saturday for van Gisbergen, who also secured the Cup Series pole with an 88.338 mph lap for Sunday’s Grant Park 165. “Practice wasn’t that great for us, but when we went out for qualifying, the car felt really good. We turned in two pretty good laps,” he noted.
This sets up a potential weekend sweep, a feat last threatened by his 2024 Chicago dominance before Chase Briscoe’s wreck ended his Cup run early. Van Gisbergen’s pole position gives him the inside track for another Chicago victory, though Sunday’s Cup field presents stiffer competition than the Xfinity Series.
Zilisch handled defeat with grace despite the heartbreak. “It’s racing for the win. I’m not going to complain about it. He won the race, and I didn’t. So, I’m just gonna be better and not let that stuff happen. I’ll learn from it and move on,” he stated.
His runner-up finish highlighted a career-best street-course performance for the 18-year-old. Zilisch led 11 laps and looked poised for his second win of the season before van Gisbergen’s clinical move. The rookie’s composure in defeat shows why JR Motorsports considers him a future star.
As Sunday’s Grant Park 165 looms with an 80% rain threat, van Gisbergen stands poised for immortality. Another win would cement Chicago as his eternal kingdom and further validate his Street King nickname. The weather could play a spoiler, but van Gisbergen has proven he can handle whatever Chicago throws at him.