Shane Van Gisbergen’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season hasn’t been the smoothest ride so far. Sitting 35th in the standings with just 138 points, a single top-10 finish, and an average finishing position of 26.8, the rookie driver has struggled to find his footing on NASCAR’s demanding oval tracks. But at North Wilkesboro Speedway, one of the sport’s most legendary venues, Van Gisbergen gave fans a thrilling reason to rally behind him—snagging the pole position for the All-Star Open and proving that his learning curve is steep but steady.
“It’s going to be fun to do something different,” Van Gisbergen said ahead of the race, highlighting his excitement for the unique format of the All-Star event. The New Zealand driver, behind the wheel of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, has shown flashes of brilliance on road courses, famously winning his Cup Series debut at the 2023 Chicago street race. However, ovals have been a consistent challenge—his best start before this weekend was only 17th at Talladega in 2024.
The All-Star qualifying format at North Wilkesboro pushed drivers to demonstrate more than just raw speed. It demanded precision pit work combined with speed on the track. Competitors completed a full lap at speed, then made a mandatory four-tire pit stop on the second lap, finishing with a final timed lap. The total elapsed time from start to finish decided the lineup for the Open race. In a field stacked with fierce competition, Van Gisbergen’s crew and driving were flawless, posting a blistering 1:28.684, edging out Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar, Noah Gragson, Michael McDowell, and Ryan Preece, who rounded out the top five.
“Yeah, I think we finally got all the things right,” Van Gisbergen said after clinching the pole. “Qualifying has been a weakness. My lap was pretty good, coming in was good, pit stop guys were insane, so really good for them. Thanks to WeatherTech, thanks to the Trackhouse pit crew, and we’re up front for tomorrow.” This success was especially impressive considering Van Gisbergen had never raced at North Wilkesboro before—this was uncharted territory for the rookie.
Van Gisbergen’s pole position is more than just a career milestone—it’s a hopeful sign that his struggles on ovals may be turning around. For a driver whose specialty has long been road courses, finding speed and rhythm on a classic oval such as North Wilkesboro represents a huge breakthrough. And it couldn’t come at a better time: the All-Star Open offers a golden ticket for the top two finishers to advance into the million-dollar All-Star Race on Sunday. In addition, a third driver can qualify through fan voting—and Van Gisbergen is already a top-five favorite among fans, proving he’s quickly earning a loyal following.
The history of the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro adds a deeper significance to Van Gisbergen’s achievement. Since its inception as “The Winston” in 1985, the event has been a showcase of legendary moments and dramatic finishes. Darrell Waltrip’s daring win in the inaugural race, overcoming engine trouble and sealing the victory against Harry Gant, is the stuff of NASCAR folklore. Dale Earnhardt’s unforgettable “Pass in the Grass” at Charlotte in 1987 and Rusty Wallace’s controversial win and post-race brawl with Waltrip in 1989 are just a few of the iconic stories that have defined the race’s rich legacy. Now, Van Gisbergen steps into those historic shoes, aiming to carve out his own memorable chapter.
Despite the excitement, Van Gisbergen remains humble and pragmatic about what lies ahead. “I’ve never started at the front for an oval, so I don’t know what to do there. I’ll have to learn the rules and see how we go,” he said, acknowledging the learning curve still before him. For NASCAR fans, the stakes couldn’t be clearer: a top-two finish in the 100-lap Open race would secure Van Gisbergen’s spot in the All-Star Race, where the winner pockets a $1 million payday.
This pole position also serves as a crucial confidence boost for Van Gisbergen after a tough rookie season filled with ups and downs. While his road course prowess is unquestioned, success on ovals is essential to contending in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the New Zealander is determined to bridge that gap quickly. The unique format of the All-Star Open, blending speed and pit crew efficiency, plays to his strengths and provides an ideal platform to showcase his improving oval skills.
As Van Gisbergen and the Trackhouse Racing crew prepare for Sunday’s battle, the buzz surrounding this talented rookie grows louder. His combination of raw talent, a rising pit crew performance, and newfound confidence could finally turn his 2025 season around. With a little luck and a lot of determination, Shane Van Gisbergen might just become the breakout star NASCAR fans have been waiting for.
