Watkins Glen Groovy Gauge Presented by Lectric eBikes

What’s Happening?

Shane Van Gisbergen obliterated the field at Watkins Glen, picking up his fourth straight road course victory, his fourth win of the season, and tying Denny Hamlin for most Cup wins in 2025. The man was so dominant he started doing donuts before second place even crossed the line. Meanwhile, the playoff bubble picture shifted, tempers flared, and the Next Gen car’s weaknesses were on full display.. Check out Eric Estepp’s full breakdown in this week’s Out of the Groove, featuring the Groovy Gauge, powered by Lectric eBikes.

Groovy Gauge Score: 40%

• Eric came away from Watkins Glen feeling flat despite respecting the history Shane van Gisbergen is writing. SVG earned every bit of his dominant win, but the race itself lacked. Passing was rare, even with fresher tires, as the current car’s aero package made moving through traffic nearly impossible. Watkins Glen, usually a crown jewel of road racing, just didn’t deliver.
• For Eric, the issue was the racing product’s inherent limitation. A few moments of door-banging and temper flares brought brief flashes of life, but they couldn’t disguise the fact that the event offered too little.
• The bright spots were fleeting: a quick two-hour runtime, a vibrant crowd, and postcard weather. But those weren’t enough to salvage the overall experience. His 40% Groovy Gauge score, one of his lowest of the season, spoke less to SVG’s performance and more to the emptiness of a race that came and went without leaving much behind.

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