Shane van Gisbergen, the rising star in NASCAR, is returning to the Chicago Street Race in 2025 with a strategic edge thanks to his previous victory on the same track. With his playoff slot secured and experience gained from earlier successes, van Gisbergen aims to leverage the Chicago event as a testing ground for innovative NASCAR tactics focused on balancing risk and reward.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Rise and Strategic Ambitions in NASCAR
Shane van Gisbergen first made a name in NASCAR with his thrilling win at the inaugural Chicago Street Race in 2023, a moment he describes as life-changing. That breakthrough launched him into the Cup Series spotlight, transforming his international touring car prominence into a serious NASCAR contender. Now 36 and holding a playoff berth, van Gisbergen enjoys a rare sense of freedom to experiment with new tactics in this season’s races.
Reflecting on his progress, van Gisbergen stated,
“This place has changed my life, so I’m gonna have special memories of this place forever.”
This win not only secured his place among NASCAR’s top competitors but also gave him the confidence to explore different approaches as he returns to Chicago in 2025.
Using Previous Success to Innovate Race Strategy
After securing a victory earlier this season, van Gisbergen is in an unusual position to try new race strategies without the immediate pressure to score points. Drawing lessons from a recent triumph at the Viva Mexico 250, where he edged out Christopher Bell with a stunning 16.56-second margin, he and his team are ready to apply calculated risks to the Chicago race. Van Gisbergen explained,
“We did that at Mexico. And we’ll continue to make it better here.”
His team’s willingness to adjust car setups and pit stop tactics contributed to their success in Mexico and now offers a blueprint for Chicago. Despite this optimism, van Gisbergen admits that adapting fully to NASCAR’s demands is still a work in progress. He acknowledged,
“There’s some feelings I’ve struggled with in the car the last couple of years,”
reflecting the challenges he has faced since crossing over from Supercars to stock car racing.
Data from prior seasons supports his candid assessment. In 12 races last year, van Gisbergen only achieved one top-five finish, with average starting and finishing positions in the 20s. This pattern has persisted into the current season, underscoring the importance of continued refinement in his driving and race strategies.
Balancing Playoff Points and Race Position
The introduction of stages and playoff points in NASCAR has complicated race tactics, especially on technical road and street courses. Van Gisbergen is weighing the pros and cons of contesting for playoff points early in the stages versus securing advantageous track positions for later runs. He noted,
“If we’re in a position to get a playoff point, we’ll probably try and get that but that’ll put us in deep in the field for the next stage. So, yeah, there’s a bit of a toss-up there, what we’re going to do.”
This strategic dilemma often forces teams to choose between short-pitting to improve their position for the upcoming stage, potentially sacrificing points in the current stage, or staying out to capture stage points but risking a poor restart. Van Gisbergen is inclined to attempt the latter at Chicago to experiment with how these trade-offs play out in a high-stakes environment.
As NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass observed,
“SVG said they might stay out for a playoff point in winning a stage and then have to work their way through the field if not great track position for start of ensuing stage.”
This approach reflects van Gisbergen’s readiness to gamble tactically now that the playoff berth is safe, testing new ideas without the typical pressure to defend points.
Van Gisbergen embraced this mindset, saying simply,
“We can try some stuff now,”
signaling a willingness to innovate and refine his approach during the 2025 playoffs.
Distinctive Braking Skills Highlighted by Fellow Competitor Will Brown
The NASCAR community has taken notice of van Gisbergen’s unique driving style, particularly his braking technique, which differs significantly from typical NASCAR methods. Will Brown, another driver crossing over from Supercars and competing in Chicago for the first time, explained what sets van Gisbergen apart.
Brown described van Gisbergen’s approach:
“Pretty much everyone over there [in Supercars] is right-foot braking, heel-and-toeing, and doing that. Shane just does a really good job at how he modulates the clutch.”
This highlights a major contrast between the two racing formats. While NASCAR drivers usually engage left-foot braking, Supercars rely heavily on right-foot braking and heel-toe downshifting due to their manual transmissions and clutch pedals.
Brown, who had to adapt his own braking technique to secure a contract with Triple Eight Race Engineering in Australia, credits Roland Dane for stressing this skill. He further noted,
“I still think you can use it a bit in these [NASCAR] cars… if you can try to prevent [the rears from locking] and use the clutch to modulate that, it just allows you to have more stability in the corner.”
Van Gisbergen’s blend of clutch modulation and braking finesse offers a competitive edge, especially at complex street circuits like Chicago.
Adding a personal dimension to their rivalry, Brown mentioned their past relationship when van Gisbergen served as a spotter for Brown’s NASCAR debut at Sonoma in 2024. Reflecting the competitive shift this season, Brown said,
“This year, there’s no help because we’re competitors.”
Their emerging rivalry adds intrigue to the Chicago race as both drivers showcase their mastery of adapting Supercars techniques to NASCAR’s demands.
Why Van Gisbergen’s Tactical Evolution Matters for the 2025 Playoffs
Shane van Gisbergen’s bold decision to experiment with race strategy at Chicago highlights the evolving nature of NASCAR competition, where tactical innovation is increasingly critical. By leveraging his playoff security, van Gisbergen is poised to refine strategies that may influence not only his own trajectory but also the broader field’s approach to stage racing and playoff points.
His unique transition from Supercars and mastery of clutch modulation and braking technique make him a fascinating figure to watch as NASCAR’s technical and competitive landscape shifts. As the Chicago Street Race returns, van Gisbergen’s willingness to take risks, learn quickly, and innovate could prove pivotal for his quest toward a championship.
Fans and analysts alike will closely monitor how these tactical experiments unfold during the 2025 playoffs, as van Gisbergen endeavors to translate his past success and newfound flexibility into consistent wins and deeper playoff runs in NASCAR’s elite Cup Series.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes he made the “right choice” by leaving Supercars to chase a career in NASCAR. This year, he’s starting his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing, after spending 15 years in Supercars.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I’m stepping away from V8 Supercars for personal reasons that I’d prefer to keep private. I’m returning to my home in New Zealand and currently have no set plans for what’s next.
