Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars champion and emerging NASCAR Cup rookie, is candid about his difficulties on superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega. While he excelled on road courses last season with five victories, the New Zealand driver acknowledges a significant gap in speed and race management on these high-speed oval tracks, which rely heavily on drafting and teamwork.
In a recent interview with Speedcafe’s KTM Summer Grill, van Gisbergen explained how his team, Trackhouse Racing, struggles to maintain proximity and synchrony during races on superspeedways, limiting their ability to compete effectively.
We do need to find some speed to genuinely be able to win and manage those races as a team. The Trackhouse cars, we really struggle to work together because we can’t stay attached to each other with the way we work. So, yeah, the dynamic of those races is so different, and that sort of stuff is going to take me years to get better at.
Shane van Gisbergen said via KTM Summer Grill.
The Complexities of Drafting and Gaining Trust Among Drivers
Van Gisbergen further admitted that understanding how to position himself within the fast-moving drafting groups is a significant learning curve. Trust between drivers is essential on superspeedways, but building those relationships takes time. He noted that despite gradually forming friendships with fellow racers, many still hesitate to collaborate closely on the track.
It’s so hard to know how to place, not only know how to place yourself, but how to get people to trust you and want to work with you. It’s um you know, like I’m starting to make friends with drivers, but you know, they still just leave me first thing. You know, it’s um you got to get that trust as a driver. And it’s yeah, it’s such a there’s no other racing dynamic like that in the world.
Shane van Gisbergen added.
Why Atlanta Feels More Manageable Compared to Daytona and Talladega
Among NASCAR’s three superspeedway venues—Daytona, Atlanta, and Talladega—van Gisbergen finds Atlanta to be more approachable due to its emphasis on car handling and driver control. At Atlanta, he can search for clean air and manipulate his car’s performance. Conversely, Daytona and Talladega emphasize strategy elements such as fuel management and the timing of pit stops, aspects that place drivers largely at the mercy of their teams’ efficiency.
Atlanta’s a little bit easier because handling comes into play. you can manipulate the car and search for air, but the Daytona and Talladega, you’re kind of at the mercy of how your last pit stop goes and how good your fuel economy is and trying to stay at the right spot.
Shane van Gisbergen said.
Next-Gen Cars Add Difficulty to Superspeedway Racing
The introduction of Next-Gen cars in NASCAR has amplified challenges on superspeedways due to increased aerodynamic drag. Van Gisbergen pointed out that the additional drag makes it difficult to break free from the pack, especially in the elusive third lane, where making a decisive move could shift the race’s momentum. Consequently, drivers often find themselves trapped in a tightly grouped drafting train, limiting overtaking opportunities.
It’s um with how draggy the cars are, your kind of can’t get that third lane going and get going. You’re kind of just in a train. Yeah, it’s difficult.
Shane van Gisbergen added.
What Lies Ahead for Van Gisbergen on Superspeedways
These comments reflect van Gisbergen’s ongoing struggle to grasp the nuanced skills required on superspeedways, an area where many drivers spend years honing their craft. Given his impressive adaptability on road courses, many within NASCAR are watching to see how quickly he can close the gap at Daytona and Talladega, tracks that demand a highly specialized approach.
As van Gisbergen continues to build trust with other drivers and his team works to improve car speed and drafting strategies, his performance on superspeedways could evolve significantly in the coming seasons. Mastery of these tracks is critical for any driver aspiring to claim a Cup championship, underscoring the importance of his current learning phase.
