Shane van Gisbergen took full responsibility for his early departure from the NASCAR playoffs following the Bristol Cup Series race last weekend. The Trackhouse Racing driver, recognized for his road racing skills, acknowledged that his recent performances fell short, leading to his playoff exit.
Throughout the regular season, van Gisbergen delivered an impressive showing by winning four races and securing a spot in the playoffs. He dominated road courses, with victories at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen. Yet, his struggles in the crucial playoff rounds prevented him from advancing beyond the Round of 16.
After his Bristol race, the driver remained candid about his shortcomings rather than blaming external factors. Despite his exit, van Gisbergen expressed hope for achieving better results as the season continues.
Van Gisbergen Reflects on Playoff Outcome and Personal Responsibility
During a conversation on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Shane van Gisbergen openly discussed the balance of pride and frustration he felt at the end of his playoff run.
“I’m in a few minds, like happy that we had a pretty good run this year, and obviously you wanna go further. But I just didn’t perform well enough these last couple of weeks, you know,” Van Gisbergen said SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“So, no one to blame but myself. Have to thank Trackhouse team, and everyone’s doing a good job. Yeah, year’s not over yet. So hopefully, keep getting good results,” Gisbergen further added.
Van Gisbergen’s playoff campaign started with an 18th place grid position at Darlington, but he ultimately finished 32nd. His next race in Illinois saw a starting place of 18th, followed by a 25th place finish. His final chance to advance came at Bristol, where he began 28th and crossed the line in 26th, not enough to move on. Consequently, he was eliminated from the playoffs in 15th place alongside Josh Berry, Austin Dillon, and Alex Bowman.
Emotional Reaction from Van Gisbergen After Bristol Race
In the aftermath of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Shane van Gisbergen shared his candid emotions, revealing the internal conflict after a difficult few weeks on the track.
“It’s a privilege to be here but also pissed at myself. The last few weeks I just haven’t been good enough. I’ve been really doing well, getting better at ovals and I just haven’t performed the last couple weeks. Didn’t understand the track early enough there and what the tires were doing and how to save them.”
Starting at 28th place, van Gisbergen’s performance in the stages of the race saw a decline. He dropped to 29th in Stage 1, further fell to 34th in Stage 2, and finished the race in 26th position. Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing ultimately won the race, finishing ahead of Brad Keselowski from Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
Van Gisbergen’s Playoff Struggles Despite Regular Season Success
Van Gisbergen established himself as a strong contender through multiple wins during the regular season, particularly excelling on road courses. His victories in Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen showcased his talent, solidifying him as a serious threat entering the postseason. However, the transition to the playoff atmosphere, especially on oval tracks, presented significant challenges that he was unable to overcome during the last races.
The Bristol race represented his final opportunity to secure a spot in the next playoff round, but his qualifying near the back of the field and eventual 26th place finish contributed to his elimination. This result ended his playoff run earlier than he had hoped, despite his acknowledged growth in adapting to oval racing.
Looking Ahead: Van Gisbergen’s Commitment to Improvement
Though disappointed by his playoff exit, Shane van Gisbergen remains determined to close the season strongly. His acknowledgment of personal responsibility reflects a focused mindset as he aims to refine his performance and contribute to Trackhouse Racing’s ongoing efforts.
Van Gisbergen’s future races will offer him continued opportunities to build on his road course expertise and improve in oval events, both critical for success in the NASCAR circuit. His candid reflections underline the passion and intensity he brings to the sport, which fans and the team alike hope will translate into stronger results moving forward.
.@shanevg97's first #NASCARPlayoffs for @TeamTrackhouse come to an end in the Round of 16.
❌ "I just didn't perform well enough these last couple weeks. No one to blame but myself." pic.twitter.com/RpPoCHikh1
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 17, 2025
