Shane Van Gisbergen has taken a firm stand against the grueling NASCAR schedule, saying its relentless pace has led him to reconsider his racing commitments for the coming year. The Shane Van Gisbergen NASCAR schedule debate is heating up as the Kiwi driver maps out a future that favors specialization over spreading himself thin across multiple series.
Growing Discontent with NASCAR’s Demanding Calendar
Shane Van Gisbergen, a driver recognized for success in several racing series, is publicly voicing frustration at NASCAR’s nearly year-long schedule, joining the chorus of drivers feeling the strain. The high demands placed on those within NASCAR, including its drivers, broadcasters like Kaitlyn Vincie, and the garage teams, have fostered a sense of exhaustion throughout the sport. With packed weekends and limited time off, Van Gisbergen’s critique mirrors broader concerns from others in the paddock and among fans.
Addressing his views in an interview, Van Gisbergen explained,
Like we do 37–38 weeks, you know, our season goes on with the breaks and the Bowman Gray pre-race or preseason race. It’s hard, you know, and then the season finishes, and most other rally in New Zealand’s finished, Australia’s finished.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver. Balancing this schedule can be tough for international drivers, and especially for those wishing to compete in home-country events like those in New Zealand or Australia.
Other NASCAR names, including Kyle Larson, have been known to juggle multiple racing disciplines—taking on dirt races, IndyCar, and even attempting the iconic Double Duty. Yet, Shane Van Gisbergen is clear that he does not wish to mirror Larson’s all-encompassing racing approach. Van Gisbergen’s stance brings to light a vital question: should NASCAR drivers continue to race and travel constantly, or should the sport allow for more recovery and focus?
The current NASCAR season demands drivers be on track for 32 to 36 Sundays each year, leaving little downtime. The introduction of just two scheduled off-weeks in the 2026 calendar, clustered rather than spread throughout the season, has done little to convince many that meaningful change has occurred.
The mental and physical toll of such a routine is echoed in the words of others navigating the schedule, as highlighted by this admission:
Honestly, sometimes I have to laugh at my schedule and how many things I seem to put on my plate for no reason… the career is very demanding.
Kaitlyn Vincie, Broadcaster. The pressure to perform consistently, mid-year burnout, and the tedious grind outside the climactic playoff period raise questions about whether the sport should aim for a more balanced approach that sustains both drivers and fan interest.
Van Gisbergen Considers Options Back Home
As the intensity of the Shane Van Gisbergen NASCAR schedule shows no signs of easing, the New Zealander is looking at opportunities to race closer to home. With the American winter making local racing less feasible, the idea of competing on New Zealand’s summer speedways has strong appeal to Van Gisbergen. His desire to spend time in his homeland, participating in regional events and enjoying a less rigorous schedule, is clear from his own words:
And then, yeah, hopefully next year, if Speedway’s kind of settled down in New Zealand, I’d love to go do some races there,
Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver, and
Because it’s pretty shut down here in America this time of year, the winters are harsh, and I’d love to get home and spend more time in summer would be good.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver.
Van Gisbergen’s priorities appear to be shifting. While other top drivers, such as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson, continue to pick themselves up for premier events like the Chili Bowl after grueling itineraries, Van Gisbergen is signaling a move toward preserving his energy for the NASCAR season while building on skills closer to home and in more familiar racing styles.
Despite his preference for racing overseas, Van Gisbergen remains committed to further developing his NASCAR abilities. He’s not ready to sign up for additional extracurricular competitions while his focus shifts to improvement within the realm of stock car racing—particularly on oval circuits, an area that presented notable challenges in his rookie NASCAR season.
Sights Set on Oval Racing Progress in the Upcoming Season
The 2025 season for Van Gisbergen was marked by five wins and a string of top-10 finishes, with most of his success coming on road and street courses. However, adapting to NASCAR’s unique oval circuits proved a tougher task, as he often finished outside the top 20 in the early months. The transition required both mental and technical adjustments, particularly in areas like corner entry and car setup.
Midway through the year, Van Gisbergen and his Trackhouse Racing team started experimenting with new approaches after their playoff chances slipped. Reflecting on these adjustments, he shared,
I didn’t do a good enough job, and that’s the pressure of the playoffs,
Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver, and added,
I didn’t drive well enough, and yeah, as soon as the playoffs ended, the very next week, we tried some different setups, thinking that, ‘Oh, we’re out of the playoffs. We’ll take some risk with some cars.’
Shane Van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing driver.
The changes quickly yielded results. Van Gisbergen managed to qualify strongly at New Hampshire, run inside the top 10 at Kansas, and demonstrate more confidence at places like Las Vegas. While there remains upward room in his oval racecraft, the closing months of the season proved he is capable of competing with established oval specialists.
His evolving form on ovals—traditionally the toughest test for drivers transitioning from other disciplines—signals Van Gisbergen’s readiness to challenge perceptions and rival NASCAR’s most experienced oval racers. As the new season approaches, the Kiwi enters with renewed intent and heightened expectations, not just to reinforce his road course dominance but to assert himself as a complete competitor within the NASCAR Cup Series.
Calls for Change Amid a Shifting NASCAR Landscape
The broader conversations sparked by Van Gisbergen’s criticisms highlight persistent issues within NASCAR’s structure. Many drivers and fans argue that a more evenly spaced schedule, with additional breaks, would lower burnout risk and keep races engaging throughout the year. Trackhouse Racing, led by Van Gisbergen, stands at the forefront of this debate, pushing for adjustments that benefit both performance and well-being.
The 2026 schedule, with minimal improvements in break distribution, may force more drivers to reconsider their long-term involvement or, like Van Gisbergen, to shape their own paths outside sweeping commitments. The coming season will test NASCAR leadership’s willingness to evolve, as pressure mounts for reforms that support driver health, maintain audience excitement, and ensure sustainability across the sport.
Shane Van Gisbergen’s determination to push back against the status quo, focus on his strengths, and recharge at home may influence a wider rethinking of priorities in American motorsport—potentially paving the way for future stars to demand better balance between racing excellence and personal well-being.
