O’Reilly: SVG Wins Another at Sonoma

What’s Happening?

Heading into today’s Pit Boss FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma Raceway, we knew who the favorites were to win. With Shane van Gisbergen in the field, driving the JR Motorsports No. 9, and Connor Zilisch driving the JRM No. 1, we were practically guaranteed to have a thrilling showdown between the two while the rest of the field became something of an afterthought, barring any major incidents for the two road course specialists.

And though we did get that in a way, this race was a little more nuanced, as SVG predictably earned the pole while Connor Zilisch had issues in Friday’s qualifying session, which left him starting today’s race in 30th. Lucky for Zilisch, crew chief Rodney Childers was able to play an exquisite strategy game to put Zilisch back in contention for victory, despite an early-race pit-road speeding penalty under green. Unfortunately for Zilisch, the No. 1 car just didn’t have the same pace as SVG’s No. 9, as the New Zealander went on to score the victory at Sonoma once again. SVG ended up leading 67 of the 79 laps, relinquishing the lead only during green flag pit cycles. The victory marks SVG’s 6th career victory in the series, his third in the JRM number 9.

This win means JRM has won 12 of the last 13 road course races with drivers like SVG and Connor Zilisch. This also marks JRM’s 12th win of the 2026 campaign.

Shane van Gisbergen wins at Sonoma!!! pic.twitter.com/70SsG06i17

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) June 27, 2026

Race Report:

• Heading into today’s race in Sonoma County, California, the headline was clear. It looked as though we were gearing up for yet another classic road course showdown between the two best road racers the sport has ever seen, Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, both driving for JR Motorsports. SVG claimed the pole by posting the fastest qualifying time on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch, after a qualifying mishap, rolled off in 30th. He looked to have a handful heading into the race. But if anyone could climb through the field with ease, it’d be him.
• The race started with SVG launching ahead of Brent Crews. SVG went on to lead through the halfway mark of the stage as the first caution of the day came out on Lap 8 for debris. At that point, Zilisch had worked his way up to the 16th position. The race restarted with another great restart from SVG as Anthony Alfredo, who has impressed in recent weeks, slid into 2nd over Crews. With 4 laps to go in the stage, Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil pitted in an attempt to flip the stage. On the next lap, Sheldon Creed pitted. During this round of stops, we learned that Connor Zilisch was nabbed for speeding. He was forced to serve a pass-through penalty. With 2 laps remaining in the stage, van Gisbergen pitted, handing the race lead over to Anthony Alfredo.
• Alfredo went on to secure the stage win after fending off a hard-charging Brent Crews.
• The following drivers earned stage points in Stage 1: Anthony Alfredo (10), Brent Crews (9), Taylor Gray (8), Parker Retzlaff (7), Corey Day (6), Austin Hill (5), Will Rogers (3), Josh Bilicki (2), Alex Labbe (1).
• Harrison Burton and Blaine Perkins inherited the race lead over Shane van Gisbergen and Jesse Love as the race restarted to begin the second stage. Perkins started falling through the field, eventually spinning out while Burton held on as long as he could before SVG regained the race lead. Shortly after, SVG’s Cup Series teammate Ross Chastain slowed on track, triggering the third caution of the afternoon.
• The race restarted with SVG spinning his tires. As a result, Jesse Love put up a battle for the race lead but, in the end, was no match for van Gisbergen. SVG cleared Love for the race lead, opening the door for his greatest rival, Connor Zilisch, to get through to 2nd.
• SVG continued to lead as the field took 4 laps to go. Many of the leaders started pitting at this point to flip the stage. Coming to 2 laps remaining in the stage, SVG came down pit road, closing it as he crossed the line. This handed the race lead to Connor Zilisch.
• Zilisch went on to win the second stage at about 7 seconds ahead of his teammate Sammy Smith.
• These drivers earned stage points in Stage 2: Sammy Smith (9), Sheldon Creed (8), Brent Crews (7), Carson Kvapil (6), Sam Mayer (5), Rajah Caruth (4), Ryan Sieg (3), Alex Labbe (2), and Will Rogers (1).
• Drivers who had issues today, either on-track or mechanical, include Ross Chastain and Brandon Jones.
• Connor Zilisch clocks the Xfinity Fastest Lap. Since Zilisch is committed to the NASCAR Cup Series for points, Zilisch is ineligible for the bonus point that comes with the award.

There's a battle behind SVG and Zilisch for 3rd! pic.twitter.com/UZLzX5fhML

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) June 27, 2026

Caution Tracker

• Lap 8: Debris
• Lap 20: End of Stage 1
• Lap 30: Ross Chastain Loses Power
• Lap 45: End of Stage 2

Guys are hitting dirt left and right. pic.twitter.com/2KrQarKuYb

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) June 27, 2026

Official Race Results

Zilisch comes all the way from the back to win stage 2! pic.twitter.com/Cy7umPYawr

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) June 27, 2026

Race to the Chase (Round 19 of 24)

Number 7 gets spun around! pic.twitter.com/CBRtwfGzZD

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) June 27, 2026

Top Stage Points Earners

• Brent Crews (16)
• Anthony Alfredo (10)
• Sammy Smith (9)
• Taylor Gray (8)
• Sheldon Creed (8)
• Parker Retzlaff (7)
• Corey Day (6)
• Carson Kvapil (6)
• Austin Hill (5)
• Sam Mayer (5)
• Rajah Caruth (4)
• Will Rogers (4)
• Ryan Sieg (3)
• Alex Labbe (3)
• Josh Bilicki (2)

Anthony Alfredo gets his first career stage win! pic.twitter.com/EShvHa8vJt

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) June 27, 2026

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