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Watkins Glen Today
By the People, for the People
Shane van Gisbergen Calls Road Courses a 'Holiday' Ahead of COTA
The Kiwi driver's latest comments have NASCAR rivals on alert as the series heads to the first road course race of the season.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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As the NASCAR field prepares for the first road course race of the 2026 season at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), all eyes are on Shane van Gisbergen, who has dominated this style of racing over the past year. Instead of talking about pressure or expectations, Gisbergen compared road course races to a 'holiday,' suggesting he sees them as a chance to simply go out and have fun.
Why it matters
Gisbergen's road course prowess has placed him among the most dangerous drivers whenever NASCAR heads away from traditional ovals. His comments about road courses being a 'holiday' have his rivals on alert, as he looks to add another road course victory to his growing list and move closer to legendary company in NASCAR history.
The details
Over the last year, Gisbergen has won multiple road course races, including events at Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Mexico City, and the Charlotte Roval. This weekend's race at COTA is one of the few places where everything hasn't clicked perfectly for him yet, despite his strong pace. The recently introduced shorter national-style configuration at COTA has created more passing zones and laps, which Gisbergen believes will play to his strengths.
- The NASCAR Cup Series heads to COTA for the first road course race of the 2026 season.
The players
Shane van Gisbergen
A Kiwi driver who has dominated road course races in the NASCAR Cup Series over the past year, winning multiple events at venues like Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Mexico City, and the Charlotte Roval.
What they’re saying
“These road courses, we just go and have fun. They are like a holiday for us. We just go and enjoy ourselves and hopefully come away with a lot of points and a great result.”
— Shane van Gisbergen (profootballnetwork.com)
What’s next
If Gisbergen wins at COTA, he would move closer to some legendary company in NASCAR road course history, alongside drivers like Chase Elliott, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon, who sit near the top of the all-time road course wins list.
The takeaway
Gisbergen's road course prowess and his latest 'holiday' comments have put the rest of the NASCAR field on notice as they head to COTA, the first road course race of the 2026 season. The Kiwi driver's ability to excel on these types of tracks has made him one of the most dangerous competitors in the series.
