As the NASCAR Cup Series travels to Texas for the first road course race of the 2026 season, Shane Van Gisbergen stands out as a favorite, drawing attention with his confident yet relaxed approach. Known for his strong performances on road courses, the Kiwi driver describes these events differently, viewing them as a kind of vacation amid the rigors of NASCAR competition. His focus on enjoying the experience offers insight into why he continues to excel on these tracks.
Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Dominance and Upcoming Challenges at COTA
Over the past year, Shane Van Gisbergen has claimed victories at several prominent road courses, including Chicago Street Course, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Mexico City, and the Charlotte Roval. These wins have cemented his reputation as one of the most formidable drivers when NASCAR races move away from traditional oval tracks. The next significant test is the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas, a track where, despite strong speed, he has yet to achieve a breakthrough result.
The recent change to NASCAR’s national-style, shorter COTA layout has introduced additional passing zones and more laps, changes that have been positively received by drivers. Van Gisbergen feels that these alterations enhance competition by increasing overtaking opportunities, which could play well into his strengths on the course.
Reflecting on his mindset, Van Gisbergen said,
“These road courses, we just go and have fun. They are like a holiday for us. We just go and enjoy ourselves and hopefully come away with a lot of points and a great result.”
?Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
A victory at COTA would bring Van Gisbergen closer to joining legendary racers like Chase Elliott, Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon in the top ranks of NASCAR’s all-time road course winners. His confidence has grown from recent strong showings, including being able to accumulate stage points and maintain front-running positions, a notable improvement from earlier in his NASCAR career.
Despite his progress, competition remains fierce. Several drivers have proven their prowess at COTA, reflecting the increasing depth of road course talent in the Cup Series over recent years.
Growing Confidence Through Oval Track Advancements
Van Gisbergen’s rise is not limited to road courses; he has also made significant strides on oval tracks. His recent sixth-place finish at Atlanta marked one of his best results on ovals and demonstrated the positive momentum within the Trackhouse Racing program. This progress complements his road course skills, making him a more complete competitor across different track types.
His initial breakthrough came with a win at the Chicago Street Course in 2023, instantly signaling his road course potential. Since then, road courses have clearly become a specialty as other drivers strive to match his pace and consistency.
Van Gisbergen remains aware of the opportunities ahead and views each race as a chance to further adapt and improve within NASCAR. For now, his goal centers on executing a clean race and building on the recent gains he and his team have made.
