Shane Van Gisbergen, the New Zealand driver for Trackhouse Racing, is approaching the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series with high hopes, focusing on improving his performance on oval tracks. After completing a full rookie season capped by a Playoff appearance and securing five wins—mostly on road courses—Van Gisbergen aims to strengthen his oval racing skills in the year ahead.
Adjusting Driving Style and Gaining Oval Experience
Throughout his debut season, Van Gisbergen concentrated on adapting to the unique demands of oval racing, which was new territory for the veteran Australian Supercars champion. Despite only earning one top-10 finish on an oval surface—a 10th place at Kansas Speedway last September—he showed promise on a short track during the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. His Chevrolet, bearing his familiar No. 97, continues to be a platform for this learning curve.
“You just learn what you want and need from a car,”
Van Gisbergen shared, highlighting the difference in his driving style compared to other competitors.
“My driving style was very different to most, I guess. The way I make the car work or want it to work is very different to others. We noticed a lot of trends which took a while to get everyone to adjust to. I adjusted a bit, but now we’re sort of coming my way a bit, which has kind of helped me. It’s interesting. The cars are set up so different to what I’m used to, and I’m still trying to understand what I need or want from the car.”
Embracing the Challenge of Superspeedways
Van Gisbergen acknowledges the challenge of racing at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, which present a vastly different experience compared to road courses. He appreciates the style but admits he is still navigating the nuances of group dynamics and positioning on these large ovals.
“I’m still learning and trying to make friends, I guess. People leave you for no reason, or you do something wrong and lose the trust of people. It takes a while to understand how to put your car in the right place.”
The New Zealander explains that while on road courses he actively collaborates on car setups, his role on ovals is more about observation and building understanding through experience.
“You don’t really have an influence on it. You just drive as fast as you can, close to the line as you can. But the preparation is very different. On road courses, I’m more involved in setup with what I want. On the ovals I’m just kind of learning and trying to build a notebook.”
Learning to Navigate the Flow and Team Dynamics of Oval Racing
Beyond technical adjustments, Van Gisbergen highlights the strategic complexity of oval racing, including understanding race flow and working with other drivers on the track.
“In these races it’s about trying to understand the flow of the race, how to work with people. It’s a completely different style of racing—that’s for sure.”
Outlook for 2026 and Potential Impact
With a full season under his belt and the Playoff experience gained in 2025, Van Gisbergen enters 2026 eager to translate his road course success to oval tracks. His continued development in oval racing could not only enhance his overall competitiveness but also position him as a serious contender in the NASCAR Cup Series. As he sharpens his skills and deepens relationships on track, the upcoming season promises to be a critical year for his growth in this arena.
