Shane Van Gisbergen, one of the most closely watched international rookies in NASCAR’s 2025 season, has shared candid insights into his challenges adapting to oval racing, especially at Dover Motor Speedway. His reflections highlight the complexities of mastering NASCAR’s high-banked concrete ovals and the demanding tire conditions that have affected his performance.
The Steep Learning Curve Van Gisbergen Faces at Dover
Van Gisbergen, who secured wins on road and street circuits, revealed that his inexperience on concrete ovals like Dover has forced him into a difficult adjustment phase. Discussing this with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on a recent podcast, the former Supercars champion admitted that oval racing presents far more unpredictability and difficulty compared to other formats.
He described the initial stages of practice sessions as intense but limited to running on the bottom line, stating,
“Well, firstly, probably Dover. Practice will start, and Bristol was sort of the same. Practice will start, and it’ll be just on the bottom, and you’ll be running your line as fast as you can, and doing the qualifying line, just going hammer and tong.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR rookie
This intense focus on a single racing line during practice contrasts with the variability he encounters as the race progresses, making the oval experience much harder to master.
Tire Performance Challenges at Dover
A significant part of Van Gisbergen’s challenge stems from understanding and managing NASCAR’s tire behavior on the concrete surface, something he had not encountered in other racing disciplines. He explained how by the time he reaches top speed, the tires have often lost their peak performance.
Reflecting on this, he said,
“But yeah, as you said for me, by the time I get up to speed, the peak of the tires gone,”
and added,
“Then you’re just trying to learn, but then when you get in the race, all of a sudden the track rubbers up.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR rookie
The shifting racing line and tire degradation add complexity to the race strategy. Van Gisbergen noted the dramatic nature of these changes, sharing,
“It’s very graphic to me on concrete, it rubbers up so much and then all of a sudden the line moves and you’re doing a different line to what you’ve done, and this tire it hates itself. Like when the rubber goes down, the rubber’s bad.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR rookie
He contrasted this with other racing series, explaining that in most cases, rubber buildup improves grip, whereas in NASCAR ovals, it complicates matters significantly. He added,
“Any other series in the world, the rubber is good. You know, you’re trying to be on the rubber to get the grip. And it’s amazing how the track will move up. The line will move up where the grip will be and where the cush is. It’s like a dirt track.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR rookie
Van Gisbergen further described the visual and tactile changes on track:
“And then you’re watching this track just change color, and you’re trying to find light spots for grip, and then the yellow comes out, and I don’t know what it is or whether the new tires pick up the rubber, the track just changes color, and the cycle starts again. It’s yeah, it’s amazing. There’s no other series I’ve ever been a part of that does it.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR rookie
What Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Oval Struggles Mean for His Career
Despite his impressive results on road courses this season, Van Gisbergen’s experiences at Dover highlight the significant challenge that oval racing presents, even for highly skilled international drivers. His reflections reveal that mastering NASCAR’s unique demands—particularly the concrete ovals and variable tire behavior—requires time and adaptation.
As Van Gisbergen continues his rookie season, overcoming these obstacles will be critical for his overall success and ability to compete consistently across NASCAR’s diverse range of tracks. His insights also illuminate the broader difficulties faced by newcomers transitioning from other racing disciplines into NASCAR’s oval-centric environment, underscoring why oval races like Dover remain a tough test for even the most talented drivers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, Van Gisbergen’s last races didn’t turn out as many hoped. On Saturday, he hit Will Brown’s wrecked car at Turn 4 during the first lap. Then on Sunday, brake problems stopped him from completing the race.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen an American citizen?
A. Shane Robert van Gisbergen, often referred to as SVG, is a professional racing driver from New Zealand, born on May 9, 1989.
Q. How many Supercar Championships did Shane van Gisbergen win?
A. Often called “SVG,” van Gisbergen has an outstanding track record. He has won the Bathurst 12 Hour race. Additionally, he earned a podium spot in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Furthermore, he has secured three championships in the Australian Supercars series.
