Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealander who has competed in NASCAR for the past two years, has rapidly earned victories in both the Xfinity and Cup Series. Despite his success, he has revealed that the transition between these two tiers of NASCAR racing has been anything but straightforward. Van Gisbergen’s reflections highlight how distinctive and demanding the experience of driving Cup cars is compared to Xfinity vehicles.
Struggles and Successes in Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Career
This season, Van Gisbergen has been competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. Currently placed 25th in the standings, he has already claimed three wins, making him second only to Denny Hamlin in Cup race victories this year. In total, Van Gisbergen has secured four wins in the Cup Series and an equal number in the Xfinity Series. While his results suggest a smooth performance on paper, the driver emphasizes the steep learning curve and complexity involved in adapting to the Cup cars.
Understanding the Vast Differences Between Xfinity and Cup Cars
Speaking on the Stacked Penny podcast, the 36-year-old driver explained why he took a year to learn before fully committing to the Cup Series, stressing how crucial that decision was. He said,
“I’m glad I did a learning year rather than jump straight into Cup, ‘cause I would have got swallowed up even more,”
—Shane van Gisbergen.
He continued by sharing the extensive differences between the two types of cars, describing them as “chalk and cheese.” He elaborated on how driving styles must adjust, detailing that the way drivers handle positioning and aerodynamics in Xfinity cars differs greatly from Cup cars.
The Unforgiving Nature of Cup Cars in Close Racing
Van Gisbergen contrasted the handling of Xfinity cars with the much more demanding Cup cars, particularly when racing in tight proximity. He explained,
“How you place the car, how you race it is just so different. Like you hang out in an Xfinity car, you can upset the guy in front of you, and if you got a bit of an aero wash, you can hang out to the right, and it’s not too bad. You know, it kind of helps you turn,”
—Shane van Gisbergen.
By contrast, Cup cars require significantly more precision and tolerance for error is minimal. Van Gisbergen stated,
“Whereas if you hang out to the right in a Cup car, you’re having a big crash. It’s like a little death zone. So, like how the cars behave when you’re beside each other, it’s almost opposite.”
—Shane van Gisbergen.
Continuing the Learning Process in a New Environment
Even with a full season of experience in the Cup Series, Van Gisbergen admits that the challenge persists, especially as the response of the cars changes with factors such as tire wear. He concluded,
“So everything I learned last year, I had to start again. And the way the car reacts on new tires….it’s like I’ve started again. So, it’s a big learning process again,”
—Shane van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen’s candid account underscores the difficulty of transitioning within NASCAR’s hierarchy, emphasizing the sharp contrast between the Xfinity and Cup Series cars. His insights reveal not only the technical demands of Cup vehicles but also the adaptive mindset required to succeed. As the season progresses, his ongoing adjustment will likely shape his future results and could influence how other drivers approach similar transitions in the sport.
