Pole-sitter SVG, teammate Zillisch swept up in Coronado restart crash

by Crystal Clay

CORONADO, Calif. — A promising day for Trackhouse Racing ended in frustration Sunday when a restart crash eliminated both Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch from contention in the inaugural Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado.

The betting favorite and Trackhouse teammate Connor Zillisch were eliminated in a restart incident during Sunday's inaugural Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado.

Van Gisbergen entered the race as the clear favorite after winning the pole on Saturday and carrying odds as high as -160 entering race weekend. The New Zealander, who has won seven of his 16 NASCAR Cup Series road-course starts, appeared poised to contend for victory before the incident derailed his afternoon.

“Yeah, real shame,” van Gisbergen said afterward. “The Red Bull Chevy was unreal fast once the track kind of rubbed up.”

The incident occurred during a restart and collected multiple cars, including both van Gisbergen and Trackhouse teammate Connor Zilisch.

Van Gisbergen declined to place blame, instead describing the crash as “just unfortunate.”

Still, his disappointment was evident.

“I’m filthy,” he said.

The frustration extended throughout the Trackhouse camp. Zilisch, who spent much of the afternoon racing near the front alongside van Gisbergen, believed both drivers had positioned themselves for a strong finish.

“I’ve been racing with Shane all day,” Zilisch said. “It’s just instinct when you have a chance to go and win a race and you’re in a prime spot. When you get put in a position like that, it’s extremely tough.

“I really hate it for everyone at Trackhouse and Red Bull. This was a huge weekend for us, and to have both cars out is what’s hard about it.”

Despite a hard impact with the concrete barriers lining the temporary street circuit, Zilisch said he escaped the crash without injury.

“My leg’s fine. I feel fine,” Zilisch said. “It was a big hit. The concrete walls are no joke, but I’m thankful for the safety of these cars and how far we’ve come as an industry.”

The result stings for a Trackhouse organization that entered one of the most favorable portions of its schedule. San Diego (Coronado Naval Base) and next weekend’s race at Sonoma Raceway are two of only four road-course events on the 2026 Cup Series calendar, tracks where van Gisbergen is widely expected to contend for wins.

Fortunately for the organization, another opportunity arrives immediately.

“Luckily we’ve got a good one next week,” van Gisbergen said.

Zilisch echoed the sentiment.

“Just put your head down, forget about this weekend and move on to the next,” he said.