Connor Zilisch, Ty Gibbs battled for Watkins Glen win before Shane van Gisbergen flew by

Before Shane van Gisbergen flew by both of them and ran away with the race win in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, Ty Gibbs and Connor Zilisch put on a show for the fans who showed out at the New York road course. 

Both Zilisch and Gibbs appeared to be two of the only drivers who were able to hang around with Shane van Gisbergen on pace, with Zilisch shadowing him for much of Stage 2 and Gibbs running inside the top five for much of the race.

Before it became apparent that van Gisbergen was going to get by both Gibbs and Zilisch, however, they battled hard for the lead while also trying to save enough gas to make it to the end of the race. 

Ty Gibbs, Connor Zilisch put on a show at Watkins Glen

Gibbs was successful in doing so and finished third, while a flat right-front tire in the closing laps for Zilisch relegated him to a 20th-place finish on what could've been a banner day for the 19-year-old rookie.