Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR playoffs are shaping up to be a rigorous test despite his commanding performances on road courses this season. The New Zealand driver clinched his playoff berth following his victory in Mexico City and reinforced his road course prowess with another win at the Chicago Street Race in Grant Park on July 2, 2023. While van Gisbergen’s road course mastery is evident, the upcoming NASCAR playoffs will require him to overcome challenges on oval tracks, where his results have yet to match his road racing success.
Having won twice during the regular season, van Gisbergen is now positioned in the postseason, but the playoffs’ format places significant emphasis on versatility across different track types. With only one road course event, the Charlotte Roval, scheduled in the playoff rounds, van Gisbergen must improve his oval racing skills if he hopes to advance beyond the initial stages of the competition.
Facing Oval Racing Challenges as Playoffs Approach
Van Gisbergen has openly acknowledged the difficulties he faces on NASCAR’s ovals compared to his road course strengths. As the playoffs begin, the first round includes tracks that present particular challenges for him. During discussions about the upcoming playoff races, he explained,
“That first round’s going to be very difficult. It’s got one track I haven’t been to, Gateway. It’s got my favorite oval in it, Darlington. I love that place. And then Bristol, which is what I’ve found the most difficult track.” —Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
He further elaborated on his struggles at certain ovals, stating,
“Like I feel like I might as well be driving the other way there. It’s so hard. So it’s some pretty difficult places for me. But yeah, I feel like we’re still making massive leaps on the overall, and there are still a few weeks left to keep getting better. So yeah, just got to keep our heads down and try to keep pushing through.”
Despite his success on road courses, van Gisbergen’s best oval finish remains 14th place at the Coca-Cola 600, accompanied by a handful of top-20 finishes. However, this performance level is not expected to be sufficient for the playoff rounds, where every track demands peak competitiveness. The steep learning curve at Gateway—one of the tracks new to van Gisbergen—adds to the pressure, while the short oval at Bristol is notoriously challenging, even for seasoned drivers.
The driver stresses the importance of continual improvement on ovals to justify his status in the NASCAR Cup Series. He asserted,
“That’s why I’m here, to win road races. But I’m not here to run last on the ovals either,”
“I need to keep getting better to justify being a Cup Series driver. I need to be performing on the ovals, too.” —Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
His focus on enhancing his oval racing skills highlights the critical role versatility plays in succeeding under NASCAR’s playoff structure. Drivers who can adapt across track types have a distinct advantage as the postseason progresses.
Strategic Advantage from Upcoming Road Course Races
A potential advantage lies ahead if van Gisbergen maintains his dominance at the upcoming road courses Sonoma and Watkins Glen before the playoffs. Success in these races would earn him valuable playoff points, serving as a buffer to safeguard his position through the early knockout rounds. Consistently finishing in the top 10 at these events could reduce the pressure on his oval track performances during the initial rounds.
In the playoffs, the Charlotte Roval remains the sole road course, presenting an opportunity for van Gisbergen to leverage his expertise in that round, should he advance. Current trends indicate that van Gisbergen is unmatched among Cup Series drivers on road courses, which could play a crucial role in his postseason aspirations.
Joey Logano Highlights Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Superiority
As NASCAR’s playoffs near, van Gisbergen and his team are focused on refining their setup and adapting to each track’s unique demands. Team preparation is essential given the varied circuits involved in the playoff structure and the heightened competition among top drivers. This approach aims to overcome the breadth of challenges presented by mixing oval and road course races.
Joey Logano, a respected Cup Series champion, has commented on van Gisbergen’s road course edge and the learning curve the Kiwi driver faces on ovals. He stated,
“It’s easy to say that until Shane is out, there a second faster than you and you have to go put yourself in some uncomfortable situations… When it comes to van Gisbergen on road courses, the rest of the Cup Series is, in a way, playing catch-up.” —Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Logano also pointed to the difference in racing backgrounds, adding,
“These guys have been doing left-handers since they were 10 years old. They’re two completely different sports… the experience levels are different in what we do.” —Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Van Gisbergen’s journey reflects this reality, as his remarkable road course skill set contrasts with the steep learning curve he faces on ovals. The playoffs will test his ability to be an all-around racer, as progressing through the rounds demands adaptability and consistency on multiple track types.
High Stakes Ahead for Van Gisbergen in the NASCAR Playoffs
With the playoffs approaching, Shane van Gisbergen faces a demanding and pivotal challenge in the NASCAR postseason. His road course dominance is evident, but translating that form into success on oval tracks will be essential for advancing deep into the playoff rounds. The diversity of tracks, from Gateway’s unfamiliar layout to Bristol’s short oval complexities and Darlington’s historic challenge, require a broad skill set and continuous improvement.
Securing vital playoff points through strong finishes at Sonoma and Watkins Glen could provide van Gisbergen with a safety margin in the early rounds. Yet, even with this advantage, the knockout format of the playoffs means every race counts and adaptability will be crucial.
Van Gisbergen’s candid acknowledgment of his weaknesses and determination to improve emphasize his commitment to becoming a complete NASCAR Cup Series competitor. Observers and fans alike will be watching closely to see if this relentless road course ace can harness his full potential across all circuits in this defining chapter of his career.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes it was the “right choice” to leave Supercars and focus on a NASCAR career. This year, he starts his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing after racing in Supercars for 15 years.
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, Van Gisbergen’s last races didn’t go as planned. On Saturday, during the first lap, he hit Will Brown’s crashed car at Turn 4. On Sunday, he faced braking problems and couldn’t complete the race.
Q. How much did Shane van Gisbergen win in NASCAR?
A. Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting down after 16 years mainly because it has been hard to find sponsors for a four-car team. Stewart is leaving the sport during a period of tension between NASCAR and its teams about the sport’s future.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen still with Jessica Dane?
A. Dane relocated to the United States to join her partner, Shane van Gisbergen. Shane, a past Supercars champion, now competes in NASCAR races.
