Kyle Larson and Shane van Gisbergen engaged in a relentless battle for the lead during the Round of 12 elimination race at Charlotte Motor Speedway‘s Roval. The 2025 postseason showdown saw Larson and van Gisbergen trade positions in an intense contest, with Christopher Bell trailing closely behind as tensions ran high in the closing laps.
Heated Duel on the Charlotte Roval’s Road Course
With just 14 laps remaining, Larson led the pack through turn seven when van Gisbergen attempted a daring inside pass. The maneuver resulted in contact that destabilized Larson’s #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, yet he maintained control and continued leading into the backstretch chicane. The race’s momentum shifted on the frontstretch as van Gisbergen briefly seized the lead, only for Larson to regain it entering turn one, confirming a fierce side-by-side battle on the demanding road course.
The high-stakes competition between the two was highlighted on social media. NASCAR captured the moment with excitement:
“It’s getting physical out front! (Shane van Gisbergen) takes the lead from (Kyle Larson)!” NASCAR wrote.
Contrasting Playoff Paths and Season Performance
While Larson continued competing in the NASCAR playoffs, van Gisbergen’s season concluded after elimination in the Round of 16. The #88 Trackhouse Racing driver entered the postseason riding high, having secured victories in four of the first five road course events during the 2025 campaign. This race at the Charlotte Roval marked the final road course competition on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, emphasizing its significance for drivers specializing in such circuits.
Kyle Larson’s View on Shane van Gisbergen’s Road Course Edge
Kyle Larson openly acknowledged van Gisbergen’s superior skills on road courses, attributing the difference to his own aggressive driving style and recent tire changes. Despite this, Larson expressed determination to sharpen his performance on these complex tracks.
“I don’t know… I feel like this year, nowhere near him. I think that’s a lot due to the tire change and just my driving style, maybe I’m guessing, but just being overly aggressive in a way of how you load the tire and slip and stuff. I’ve just been trying to get better this year on the road course stuff. We’ve had great results, I feel like my whole career on road courses, so I definitely don’t feel bad.”
Alongside competing in NASCAR, Larson continues to participate in dirt track racing and manages the Kubota High Limit Racing sprint car series, connecting with different facets of motorsport. Conversely, van Gisbergen draws on his experience in Australia’s Supercars, where pilots race high-powered V8 vehicles akin to NASCAR stock cars. This background has provided van Gisbergen with a natural advantage on North American road courses.
Implications for NASCAR’s Road Course Competition
The intense clash between Kyle Larson and Shane van Gisbergen at Charlotte highlights the elevated level of competition emerging on NASCAR’s road courses. As Larson strives to close the gap on van Gisbergen’s road racing expertise, fans and teams alike anticipate a more tightly contested battle for championships on these challenging layouts.
The Charlotte Roval race serves not only as a pivotal moment in the playoffs but also signals the growing importance of road course skillsets within the Cup Series. Larson’s ongoing development and van Gisbergen’s proven ability suggest that future races on such tracks will remain fiercely competitive and exhilarating for audiences.
It's getting physical out front!@shanevg97 takes the lead from @KyleLarsonRacin! pic.twitter.com/1adHBMCITD
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 5, 2025
