Things are looking great for Dale Earnhardt Jr. once again this week. His drivers just finished 1-2 for the second race in a row. It doesn’t hurt to have Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen in your cars at a NASCAR road course race.

Let’s run through each potential candidate for the crown of best road-course ace in the Cup Series’ modern era (since 1972).

As world-renowned as the Sonoma Valley is for its place as California's Wine Country, it also features a racetrack that is respected by the world's racers as well. Since 1968, Sonoma Raceway has been taken to by race car drivers from across the globe, particularly those who have staked their names and raced their careers in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The NASCAR Cup Series field had nothing for Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City. It was much of the same in Sunday’s Chicago Street Race. Van Gisbergen, just a rookie, has quickly become the driver to beat at every road/street course on the schedule.

Supercars champion Will Brown was caught out early in his return to the NASCAR Cup Series, following a multi-car pile-up in Chicago. The Triple Eight Race Engineering driver, driving a Kaulig Racing Chevrolet Camaro, was ruled out of contention after just three laps in the Cup Series race.