Shane Van Gisbergen’s run in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs came to an end following a 26th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, confirming his exit in the Round of 16. The Australian Supercars Champion openly acknowledged his challenges and set his sights on improving his performance in future playoff campaigns.
Speaking shortly after the race, Van Gisbergen expressed mixed emotions about his season but made it clear that his ambition remains strong.
Challenges on Oval Tracks Hold Van Gisbergen Back
Throughout his debut NASCAR season, Van Gisbergen displayed strength on road courses, securing four victories exclusively on those tracks. Despite this success, adapting to the oval circuits has been a persistent hurdle. Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks had hoped that a year in the Xfinity Series would help Van Gisbergen gain valuable oval experience, yet the struggles persist.
So far, Van Gisbergen’s best finishes at oval tracks were 14th place at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Richmond Raceway. His playoff entry was supported by 22 playoff points earned mainly through road course wins, but disappointing results—32nd at Darlington, 25th at Gateway, and 26th at Bristol—have depleted that advantage.
Van Gisbergen admitted,
“So, I need to keep getting better at the ovals. The road courses will keep working, but yeah, I need to start improving at this stuff.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR driver
A Season of Highs and Lows in Van Gisbergen’s Rookie Year
Although his playoff run fell short, Van Gisbergen’s rookie season is far from a failure. He is set to receive the Rookie of the Year award, a reflection of his impressive performances amidst tough competition. The emotional rollercoaster of the season left him feeling conflicted between pride and frustration.
He shared,
“I’m happy but frustrated. Proud. It’s a privilege to be here, but I’m also pissed at myself. The last few weeks, I just haven’t been good enough.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR driver
Taking ownership of his recent setbacks, Van Gisbergen noted steady improvement on oval tracks but remains realistic about the road ahead. While the playoffs are over for him this season, he acknowledges the remaining races still hold value for his career development and legacy in NASCAR.
Looking Forward to Future Playoff Ambitions
Van Gisbergen’s debut season established him as a strong competitor, especially on road courses. His next step is to translate that success to the more challenging oval tracks, a transition critical to advancing deeper into future playoffs. With lessons learned and experience gained, he aims to build on this foundation and pursue more significant achievements in the NASCAR Cup Series.
