As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs approach, Trackhouse Racing driver Shane van Gisbergen is proving critics wrong with his steady rise in the standings. Ahead of this weekend’s Cook Out Southern 500, van Gisbergen expressed confidence in his ability to perform despite skepticism surrounding his rookie season.
The New Zealand native entered the Cup Series in 2023 with part-time races for Trackhouse Racing and launched his full-time career in 2025. Demonstrating impressive skill, he secured a playoff berth by winning at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez earlier this year, becoming the second Trackhouse driver to qualify for the postseason. Despite this achievement and being named NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year, many still question his potential to advance deep into the playoffs.
Van Gisbergen remains focused and grounded, addressing the criticism in an interview with Racer.com by stating,
“It doesn’t worry us. It puts no pressure on us, right? If we have a good week this week, it takes the next few harder. But if we have a tough week, it puts us in a hole, and it’s going to be hard to get out of it.”
“Hopefully, it’ll be nice to prove people wrong,” he added.
Overcoming Challenges on Oval Tracks
One of van Gisbergen’s significant hurdles this season has been adapting to oval tracks, a format he was unfamiliar with before joining NASCAR. His crew chief, Stephen Doran, spoke candidly on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 about the driver’s progress on these circuits. Doran highlighted that although van Gisbergen initially struggled, his commitment to learning and improvement has led to notable strides.
Doran emphasized the driver‘s dedication by pointing out a recent race at Iowa Speedway:
“He’s equally as good of a student on the ovals, and I think you’ve seen the progress from the beginning of the year until now. Really, I think since in the All-Star race, our oval program has continued to get better. Even in Iowa, we had a really good race going, gotten the fence, got the car fixed, and he drove back through the field to 16th with a kind of dinged-up race car, and then ended up getting wrecked again towards the end.”
Van Gisbergen’s growth was further underscored when he won his first oval race behind the wheel of a Legends Car at Charlotte Motor Speedway in July 2025. This achievement marked an important milestone in his adjustment to NASCAR’s demanding oval tracks.
Strong Statistics Reinforce His Playoff Credentials
Currently positioned sixth in the Cup Series standings, Shane van Gisbergen’s statistics highlight the impact he has made this season. Over 26 starts, he has achieved four victories along with five top-10 and four top-five finishes. Additionally, van Gisbergen has secured three pole positions and led 252 laps overall. His average finish of just over 21 reflects areas for improvement, but his winning results showcase his potential in high-pressure situations.
Looking ahead, van Gisbergen must focus on advancing through the initial playoff round, which features predominantly oval tracks where he has faced challenges. However, the subsequent round offers road courses that suit his background from Supercar Racing, providing an opportunity for the driver to capitalize on his strengths and continue to defy expectations.
With a determined mindset and strong backing from his team, Shane van Gisbergen is set to remain a contender as the playoffs intensify. His ability to adapt, improve on ovals, and maintain composure under pressure positions him well to disrupt predictions and extend his playoff run.
