Shane van Gisbergen triumphed at Watkins Glen, demonstrating his mastery of tire management and strategic execution. The race was marked by significant tire degradation, with van Gisbergen's No. 97 Chevrolet team navigating the challenges effectively. He noted, "There's three seconds of fall off really, two and a half. So having that grip was a big advantage." His extensive background in Supercars, where tire management is crucial, provided him with an edge over competitors. Van Gisbergen expressed confidence in the support from his team at Trackhouse Racing, stating, "We've developed the car in my style a little bit too. And yeah, I really feel like we've made some big gains in that area." Despite his dominance, fellow racer Michael McDowell remarked that while van Gisbergen is difficult to beat, he is not unbeatable. In his second season in the NASCAR Cup Series, the 37-year-old driver has made notable progress, including a P6 finish in Atlanta and three top 15 finishes on oval tracks.