New Zealand driver Shane Van Gisbergen recorded his highest-ever NASCAR Cup Series oval finish by placing sixth at the Autotrader 400 held at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. Starting from 28th due to a weather-related cancellation of qualifying, Van Gisbergen faced a difficult race compounded by car handling problems but managed to climb steadily through the field.
Qualifying was canceled because of rain and lightning, leading NASCAR to use a metric system based on recent races and points standings to determine the starting lineup. This system placed Van Gisbergen near the back alongside his Trackhouse Racing teammates Ross Chastain, who started 21st, and Connor Zilisch in 31st. Pole sitter Tyler Reddick started from the front after recently winning the Daytona 500.
Progress Under Difficult Race Conditions
The race began on a clear but windy day, with Joey Logano quickly overtaking Reddick to take the lead. Van Gisbergen showed immediate pace, moving from 28th to 24th within four laps. Despite some early setbacks in the mid-pack that pushed him back to 29th by Lap 17, he continued to push forward.
Stage 1 ended with Austin Cindric earning the win after an impressive climb from 30th position, while Van Gisbergen slipped to 34th as car balance issues began to affect his performance. The top five at this stage included Cindric, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott.
Adjusting Strategy Amid Car Handling Struggles
After the first pit stops, Van Gisbergen restarted in 26th place but immediately reported his car was very loose, struggling with grip following adjustments during his stop. A series of early cautions brought on by incidents involving Ty Gibbs, Riley Herbst, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. allowed him opportunities to gain positions.
By lap 111, Van Gisbergen had advanced into the top 20 and soon broke into the top 10. Near the race’s closing stages, a fierce battle placed him third, but contact with Kyle Larson, who aggressively blocked Van Gisbergen, resulted in a spin that ended Larson’s race, though Van Gisbergen was able to pit for repairs and fresh tires. Larson accepted responsibility for the crash afterward.
Hear from @KyleLarsonRacin after a wreck with Shane van Gisbergen ended his day. Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/RXSY60dMhc
Final Stage Comeback and Late-Race Setbacks
Bubba Wallace won Stage 2, while Van Gisbergen restarted the final stage in 23rd place amid multiple driver retirements and ongoing aerodynamic challenges. Demonstrating resilience, he surged 11 spots within five laps to 12th and soon entered the top 10 again.
However, with about 60 laps remaining, lingering car looseness caused Van Gisbergen to spin from 12th place, forcing him to restart at the rear. Despite this setback, he continued his charge forward in a race marked by numerous accidents and cautions that reduced the field to 29 running cars late in the event.
🟨 200/260Shane Van Gisbergen se roztočil ve čtvrté zatáčce pic.twitter.com/gP6A1rdnzd
Closing Laps and Career-Best Finish
Van Gisbergen methodically passed competitors in the final stages, moving from 16th to 12th and then advancing to ninth on the run-in to the finish. An overtime shootout intensified the competition when Bell was forced into the wall at Turn 1, allowing Reddick to secure the race victory. Shane Van Gisbergen ultimately crossed the finish line in sixth place, marking his best result on a NASCAR oval track and underscoring his determination and skill in navigating a highly unpredictable race.
“I still need to be better myself with positions, but that’s awesome,” said van Gisbergen after the race.
Looking Ahead to Circuit of the Americas
Following his strong showing in Atlanta, Van Gisbergen prepares for the first road course event of the NASCAR season at the Circuit of the Americas, one of his preferred venues. Scheduled for 9:30am on Monday, March 2 NZST, the Kiwi driver will be among the favorites aiming to continue building momentum from his performance at EchoPark Speedway.
Hear from @KyleLarsonRacin after a wreck with Shane van Gisbergen ended his day.
Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/RXSY60dMhc
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) February 22, 2026
https://twitter.com/nascar_cz/status/2025705353237729623
