Sunday, December 28, 2025

Shane van Gisbergen Outsmarts Kyle Larson in Charlotte Battle

Sonia Mcmillan

The NASCAR Cup Series concluded its final road course event of the 2025 season on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s challenging ROVAL layout. Known for its tight turns and demanding infield section, the Charlotte road course has consistently generated playoff drama since the switch from the traditional oval in 2018. This weekend’s race continued that trend, with Shane van Gisbergen standing out yet again in the Kyle Larson Charlotte battle.

Van Gisbergen secured his fifth victory of the year and the sixth of his career, all on road courses, by delivering a commanding performance. He claimed the lead early on lap four and maintained dominance throughout the event, leading for a race-high 57 laps. Despite fierce challenges from Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, van Gisbergen crossed the finish line at the Bank of America ROVAL 400 over 15 seconds ahead of Larson.

Just unreal, great battles and good fun all day. Thank you to @WeatherTech, @TeamChevy and everyone at @TeamTrackhouse for the fast car! pic.twitter.com/23p30JnwY0

– Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series driver

Larson and Bell Challenge but Fall Short

Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell brought considerable pressure to van Gisbergen’s lead throughout the race. Larson, in particular, engaged closely with the No. 97 car, racing door-to-door for multiple laps. However, van Gisbergen’s ability to position his car strategically gave him the edge Larson couldn’t surpass. The battle between these two top contenders was a highlight of the race, reflecting the intense competitiveness of the Kyle Larson Charlotte battle.

Kyle Larson
Image of: Kyle Larson

@KyleLarsonRacin talks about battling @shanevg97 for the win at the ROVAL. #NASCARPresenting partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/4wQwHFsz2t

– Frontstretch, NASCAR media outlet

The win advances van Gisbergen to within one victory of matching Jeff Gordon’s record of six consecutive road course wins, underscoring his prowess on these circuits.

Ross Chastain’s Playoff Hopes Dashed by Pit Road Mistakes

While the lead battle captured attention, Ross Chastain’s struggles in the Round of 12 shaped the playoff landscape. The driver of the No. 1 team fell short due to costly errors during pit stops, including missing a tight turn when exiting pit road and drawing a speeding penalty on a later stop. These miscues forced Chastain into a desperate approach at the finish line.

The video game move doesn’t work this time.Ross Chastain gets eliminated in the Round of 12 on the last lap! pic.twitter.com/WoLfQp1Yxd

– Xfinity Racing, NASCAR media outlet

Despite two top-five finishes in the stages and a strong position following the final pit stops, Chastain’s worn tires left him vulnerable to being overtaken. On the final lap, Denny Hamlin passed him to claim the crucial spot needed to move on.

The last-lap confrontation ended with Chastain spinning following contact with Hamlin in the frontstretch chicane, but Chastain fought back fiercely, even driving backward across the finish line, a move reflecting his relentless determination.

#NASCAR … Ross Chastain: “I single-handedly took a car out of the round of 8” after his two pit road issues forced him to make a Hail Mary move coming to the finish line at the Roval. pic.twitter.com/zUvYJp50Oa

– Dustin Long, NASCAR journalist

Chastain’s 21st-place finish was not enough to advance him to the next playoff round, a bitter end to a weekend full of high hopes and hard-fought racing.

Denny Hamlin Edges Into Playoff Lead Amid Tight Point Standings

The playoffs have tightened considerably as the Round of 8 begins, with Denny Hamlin currently leading by a mere eight points above the elimination line. The entire playoff field is separated by just 24 points, underscoring the intense competition heading into the final stretch of the season.

Denny Hamlin on not knowing that passing Ross Chastain was putting Joey Logano in and what he would have done if he had known: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/A6yiajaYpL

– Bob Pockrass, NASCAR reporter

Hamlin acknowledged post-race that had he fully understood the points implications of passing Chastain, he may have approached the race differently. Despite a relatively forgettable race for both Hamlin and several other contenders—many struggling to generate consistent momentum—the driver still sits atop the standings by a small margin.

Kyle Larson sits closely behind Hamlin in third place, holding just a four-point deficit, tied with teammate William Byron. Christopher Bell is the closest driver below the cut line heading into next week’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, intensifying the pressure on all playoff competitors.

Ryan Preece’s Impressive Climb and RFK Racing’s Strong Showing

Ryan Preece turned heads again on Sunday with a determined drive from 29th on the grid to a sixth-place finish. His strategic race management marked another step forward in a career year, where he now boasts more top 10 finishes than Joey Logano and matches Ross Chastain in top fives and top 10s, while leading in laps led.

Preece’s consistency hints that his first victory could be imminent. RFK Racing as a whole enjoyed a positive day, with Chris Buescher qualifying fifth and finishing fourth, and Brad Keselowski running strongly before suffering a late mechanical failure.

Joey Logano Navigates Playoff Cutoff with Experience

Joey Logano experienced a subdued race day in Charlotte yet emerged with the crucial last playoff spot secured, exemplifying his mastery of NASCAR’s playoff system. Once considered a weaker link entering the postseason, Logano’s resilience and strategic expertise have kept his championship hopes alive despite accumulating only 10 top 10 finishes this year.

For those who hate the #NASCAR playoffs, Joey Logano has a message for you … pic.twitter.com/uNuuy9TPGW

– Dustin Long, NASCAR journalist

The No. 22 team, led by crew chief Paul Wolfe, is now three races from a potential title contention. Logano’s history at the upcoming tracks—most notably four wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway—provides a strong foundation for a comeback. His ability to seize a win at any of these venues could rewrite the playoff picture dramatically.

Upcoming Playoffs at Las Vegas and Talladega Set the Stage

With just four races remaining in the season, the Round of 8 kicks off next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, followed closely by the high-speed challenge of Talladega Superspeedway. These events are crucial for drivers aiming to secure their place in the championship battle, with a victory at Sin City especially coveted.

Historically, Logano has excelled at Las Vegas, holding the most wins among active drivers with four, and another victory would put him ahead of Jimmie Johnson’s all-time record. Kyle Larson, Keselowski, Hamlin, and William Byron also possess wins at this track, all vying to capitalize on their strengths as the playoffs heat up.

Other drivers like Josh Berry and Alex Bowman remain potential wildcard contenders, searching for momentum and a chance to upset the established order as the season winds down.

Race Review: Moments of Drama but Not a Classic Event

Sunday’s race delivered memorable moments largely because of van Gisbergen’s front-runner dominance and the playoff stakes that drove intense battles among competitors. The fight between van Gisbergen and Larson for the lead in the final stage showcased aggressive racing with plenty of physicality. The playoff tension added drama that elevated the race’s excitement.

However, in terms of pure racing quality, this event fell short of greatness. The Charlotte ROVAL has produced chaos over the years and some notable racing moments, but the current Next Gen cars—stronger on intermediate ovals but less so on road courses—have struggled to fully capitalize on the layout’s potential.

A newly improved tire compound has assisted the racing quality, but many experts feel the ROVAL may no longer deliver the level of competition expected in the playoffs. Discussions have begun over potentially replacing this track with Watkins Glen International, reducing the total road course count to four per season. Charlotte’s oval, in contrast, has proven more competitive and could better fit the current car’s strengths.

Looking Ahead: Pressure Builds in the Final Stretch

As the intensity heightens with the Round of 8 advancing to Las Vegas, every point, strategy call, and tire choice will grow increasingly critical. Drivers like Shane van Gisbergen and Kyle Larson show the skill and speed needed to contend for the championship, while others like Joey Logano demonstrate racing acumen to survive precarious playoff positions.

The next weeks will test teams’ ability to respond under pressure, with Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway offering contrasting but equally demanding challenges. Fans can expect high-stakes, close racing, and unpredictable outcomes as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches its climax.

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