Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR success came into the spotlight during his first full NASCAR Cup Series season in 2025, where despite not finishing better than 10th on any oval track, he claimed five victories and secured a playoff spot through outstanding performances on road and street courses. However, the 2026 schedule changes present significant challenges for the Trackhouse Racing driver as several key venues where he excelled will no longer be part of the upcoming season.
Adjustments in the NASCAR Schedule Affect Van Gisbergen’s Strengths
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will omit two notable tracks from the previous season—both locations where van Gisbergen scored wins. The Chicago Street Course, which had been on the schedule for three seasons and where he also triumphed in 2023, will be removed. In its place, Chicagoland Speedway will return for the first time since 2019. Additionally, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, another site of one of van Gisbergen’s victories, is being replaced by the Coronado Street Course at Naval Base Coronado, marking NASCAR’s second-ever street circuit.
Furthermore, reports indicate that the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, a staple in the playoffs for eight years, will be removed with the Charlotte oval regaining its second race date. This leaves only three road courses remaining in 2026: Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in March, Watkins Glen International in May, and Sonoma Raceway in June—all venues where van Gisbergen took wins last season.
Oval Track Performance Will Be Crucial for Van Gisbergen’s Playoff Hopes
Throughout 2025, van Gisbergen improved steadily on various types of ovals, including short tracks, intermediate ovals, and superspeedways. Despite this progress, relying solely on success at road and street courses will be insufficient in 2026 as those winning opportunities have significantly decreased. Achieving further development on oval tracks will be essential if van Gisbergen hopes to secure a place among the 16 drivers competing in the postseason Chase.
Upcoming Season and Broadcast Information for NASCAR Fans
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series will kick off with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 15, with live coverage starting at 2:00 p.m. ET on Fox. Fans can access all the action through available streaming services, ensuring they don’t miss van Gisbergen’s efforts to adapt in a rapidly evolving series.
