Kevin Harvick Bets on Shane Van Gisbergen to Win Watkins Glen Cup Race

NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick asserted that Shane van Gisbergen would make his way to Victory Lane at Watkins Glen this weekend.

Kevin Harvick Bets on Shane Van Gisbergen to Win Watkins Glen Cup Race

Kevin Harvick and Shane van Gisbergen (Via IMAGO and @sonoma/X)

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NASCAR heads to Watkins Glen this weekend, another road course. This has put the spotlight on former V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen. The Kiwi driver has made waves in the field in the Cup Series. Now, NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick has picked Gisbergen to win the upcoming race.

Shane van Gisbergen has impressed the entire NASCAR garage. The No. 88 driver has been in a league of his own when it comes to road courses. He even won the inaugural Cup race in Mexico earlier this year and thus has a spot in the Playoffs. While Gisbergen is yet to make his mark on speedways, the upcoming weekend would be to his advantage.

Kevin Harvick initially joked that he doesn’t expect the Kiwi driver to head to Victory Lane this time around. However, he soon backtracked on his comment. After all, Gisbergen has dominated road courses this year including the races in Chicago and Sonoma. Harvick insisted that he would like to see the Supercars champion back on the top yet again.

I don’t think so [on picking Shane van Gisbergen]… I’m just kidding. Yeah, well, I like (the SVG pick).

Kevin Harvick said on Happy Hour podcast.

Moreover, Shane van Gisbergen will also be competing in the Xfinity Series race this time around. He will be driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports decked in an orange Kubota livery.

Mamba Smith picks Shane van Gisbergen’s ‘archrival’

Kevin Harvick’s co-host Mamba Smith disagreed with the pick of the NASCAR champion. Rather, he pointed out a crucial rivalry brewing in the Cup Series. While Shane van Gisbergen has dominated road courses this year, Trackhouse Racing star Connor Zilisch is not far behind. Zilisch remains a fierce driver, particularly on such tracks. However, he has been in bad light in recent weeks amid ever-increasing controversy over his on-track antics.

Connor Zilisch (via The Tennessean)
Connor Zilisch (via The Tennessean)

Smith made it clear that he was going against Harvick’s Shane van Gisbergen pick. The internet personality revealed the reason behind it. Mamba Smith reckoned that Connor Zilish has been consistent in road courses, particularly Austin’s Circuit of The Americas. So much so, he expected the Trackhouse Racing star to deliver an exciting spectacle for fans this weekend.

You know what, I know who you’re going to pick and I’m going to go against it. The archrival. The kid. Give me Connor freaking Zilisch, because why not. I think that the other road course races he’s had in the Cup Series, I think it was really COTA, he’s got a lot of experience at this place. I think he’s going to be impressive. It’s going to be a show.

Mamba Smith said on Happy Hour podcast

Certainly, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen are the two to watch out for at Watkins Glen. Both drivers are known to push themselves to the limit. While Zilisch has exceeded the line on multiple occasions this year, Gisbergen has kept things intact. Fans can even expect to see both drivers battling one another in a feisty duel. However, such a wheel-to-wheel battle could soon turn into disaster.

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