Shane van Gisbergen is entering the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season confronting significant hurdles, especially on superspeedways. Last year, his exceptional skill on road courses secured him a playoff spot, but with the playoff format returning to the Chase system, his success will depend on improving across all track types. The New Zealand driver must expand his strengths beyond road courses to remain competitive.
Recognizing Difficulty in Superspeedway Racing
Despite steady progress on non-road course tracks, Van Gisbergen openly acknowledges it will take considerable time to catch up with his rivals in superspeedway events. During a recent appearance on the KTM Summer Grill, he explained how demanding this form of stock car racing is, emphasizing the unique challenges it presents. His honesty about his current standing reveals a deep understanding of the learning curve ahead.
The Importance of Trust and Teamwork on Superspeedways
Superspeedway racing relies heavily on trust between drivers, who need to rely on one another to draft effectively and maintain competitive speeds. Van Gisbergen admits he has yet to earn the confidence of many fellow drivers or teammates, which affects his ability to stay closely attached during races.
He shared,
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, NASCAR driver
Ongoing Efforts to Build Relationships and Improve
Although Van Gisbergen has formed friendships with many drivers since debuting in 2023, he notes they often choose to separate from him at the earliest opportunities during superspeedway events. He aspires to change this dynamic over the coming seasons and recognizes there is no comparable racing style worldwide. To date, he has competed in ten superspeedway races, with his best finish being 11th at Talladega last year, along with two other top-20 results.
Looking Forward: The Challenge of the New Chase Format
While Van Gisbergen’s talent clearly shines on road courses, NASCAR’s decision to remove all road courses from the final 10-race Chase schedule means he must elevate his performance on other circuits, including superspeedways, to advance through the playoff rounds. His previous results suggest multiple wins could be possible in the new season, but those victories may be limited to tracks that suit his current strengths.
The Kiwi competitor’s self-awareness and willingness to address his weaknesses signal a determined effort to adapt and succeed. His future success will largely depend on mastering the trust-based and tactical elements of superspeedway racing, which he rightly identifies as requiring years of experience to conquer fully.
