Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand racing star, has established himself as a dominant force on NASCAR’s road courses, clinching his fourth win of the season recently. Despite this impressive performance on road circuits like Watkins Glen and Sonoma, van Gisbergen continues to face significant challenges on oval tracks, which remain a core component of NASCAR racing. His ongoing struggles with oval racing have become a major talking point as the 2025 NASCAR playoffs draw near, highlighting the stark differences between the two racing styles.
Known for his expertise on road courses, van Gisbergen has matched notable NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott by securing multiple consecutive victories on these tracks. However, the traditional oval format, dating back to NASCAR’s origins in 1949, demands a very different skill set. Oval racing requires maintaining extreme speeds in tight packs on banked tracks, a contrast to the more technical road racing circuits where van Gisbergen excels. This contrast has left the Trackhouse Racing driver openly acknowledging his difficult adaptation process to oval racing.
Van Gisbergen Details His Oval Learning Curve and Limited Practice Time
Before entering NASCAR, Shane van Gisbergen had no experience racing on paved ovals, making his transition to the series especially challenging. His background in Supercars provided a strong foundation, but oval racing’s rapid pace and close-quarter battles present unique demands. A key moment in van Gisbergen’s oval development came during a May 2025 test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, followed by a strong showing at the All-Star Open where he led 54 laps on North Wilkesboro Speedway’s 0.625-mile short oval.
Further evidence of his growing oval skills appeared when van Gisbergen won the Pro Legends A-feature at the Cook Out Summer Shootout in Charlotte, narrowly defeating Jake Bollman after a fierce 25-lap contest. Despite these gains, the 34-year-old Kiwi remains candid about ongoing frustrations, particularly after recent poor finishes at Dover and Iowa, where he placed 30th or lower.
“It’s just difficult. You’d think two corners only would be easier, but the style of racing over here is just so different…It’s so different, the way the cars react, the way they’re set up, the way they load into the corners, the banking of the corners. And, of course, the speed we’re going. Like, the average speed is almost 300 ks for most of the tracks. It’s ridiculous how fast you’re going and how close you are to everyone.” —Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR driver
One major obstacle hampering van Gisbergen’s oval progress is the limited practice time provided during NASCAR race weekends. Unlike road course series where drivers may enjoy half an hour to an hour on track, oval races typically allow only about 15 to 20 minutes of practice. This short track time forces drivers to learn during races, increasing the challenge for newcomers to adapt quickly.
“And then you have bugger all practice. There’s only 15 minutes every week. Whereas on a circuit in a normal series, you have half an hour to an hour every week. Yeah, so it’s not much track time, and then they throw you in the deep end of the race, and you’re sort of learning on the fly. So, just taking time.” —Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR driver
Age and Experience Create Additional Hurdles in the Oval Transition
Joining NASCAR at age 34, van Gisbergen entered the sport later than many rookie drivers, who often have years of oval racing experience or begin their careers younger. His extensive history in Supercars, with 81 wins, showcases his talent but also highlights the challenge of switching disciplines so late. The upcoming 2025 playoff series will test his oval capabilities further, requiring strong performances on some of the toughest circuits, including Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol.
Van Gisbergen’s past results on these ovals suggest steep challenges ahead. His Darlington finishes have been modest, placing 20th and 26th, while he has yet to compete at Gateway. At Bristol, mechanical issues left him 38th last season. These tracks will be critical as he aims to advance to the Charlotte Roval round, which features a road course section where van Gisbergen’s skills shine.
Veteran NASCAR drivers acknowledge van Gisbergen’s road course mastery but recognize the oval format as a formidable hurdle. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin commented on van Gisbergen’s unique skill set and the likely limits he faces outside road courses.
“On the road courses, it’s a little more straightforward. As long as there’s not an ill-timed caution. … There’s no doubt the guy can go through traffic. Zero doubt on my mind. Is he the best road course racer I’ve ever seen? Absolutely. I competed against the Tony Stewarts, the Jeff Gordons — all those guys. He’s better than all of them. But the only thing you’re going to have to mix this up, to keep him from winning every single road course race, is — it’s going to have to take something wacky. Or else you can just go ahead and write the script for the next foreseeable future.” —Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
The Road Ahead: Can Van Gisbergen Overcome Oval Challenges?
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey highlights the contrast between road course dominance and oval struggle, a dual challenge that places him in a unique position within the sport. His rapid success on road circuits underscores his talent, but the difficulties adapting to high-speed, close-quarters oval racing remain significant setbacks. The limited practice sessions and high stakes of the playoffs amplify these challenges, making his quest for an oval victory a true test of resilience and adaptability.
As the 2025 NASCAR season enters its decisive phase, all eyes will be on van Gisbergen to see if he can translate his road course skills into consistent oval success. Achieving this would not only diversify his strengths but also elevate his status among NASCAR contenders. Until then, the Kiwi driver continues to push forward, embracing the steep learning curve and the intense competition that defines NASCAR’s oval racing tradition.
