Shane van Gisbergen started strong with a historic win. Now, things have changed in ways few expected. His journey in NASCAR is taking a tough turn. Each race brings more questions than answers. His past success offers hope, but pressure is rising. With every finish near the back, doubts grow louder. Even off the track, the spotlight stays on him.
The next steps for Shane van Gisbergen may shape his future in racing.
Key Highlights
- Shane van Gisbergen’s initial NASCAR win set high expectations from fans for consistent victories.
- His average finish of 26.63 and frequent finishes in the 30s fuel fan frustration.
- Critics question his adaptation to NASCAR and whether his talent from Supercars will translate.
- His mentorship role adds pressure to prove credibility amidst personal performance struggles.
- Team setups and broader Trackhouse Racing challenges also contribute to his underperformance.
SVG Phenomenon and Early Success
In July 2023, Shane van Gisbergen captured the attention of the NASCAR world with a remarkable debut performance.
Piloting the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing’s Project91 initiative, he achieved an extraordinary feat by winning the initial Chicago Street Race in his very premier Cup Series start.
As a seasoned road course specialist from the Supercars series, van Gisbergen navigated through the field with the finesse of a veteran, seizing the lead on Lap 71 and skillfully defending his position through the intense NASCAR Overtime.
This victory marked a historic moment, as no driver had achieved such a debut success since 1963.
The global motorsport community was abuzz with excitement, and van Gisbergen’s name became synonymous with potential greatness.
His subsequent commitment to joining Trackhouse Racing full-time in 2025 was met with widespread enthusiasm, with fans keenly anticipating his continued success on diverse racing venues.
The Struggles at Bristol and DNF Impact
Bristol proved to be a tough test for Shane van Gisbergen, shattering the optimism built from his recent performance at Darlington. This was a clear contrast to his 20th-place finish at Darlington, where the No. 88 car showed potential during long runs.
At Bristol, van Gisbergen faced a qualifying setback, starting 36th and quickly descending to 39th as the race commenced. A critical moment came on Lap 178 when he spun and crashed into the wall, leading to a DNF finish in 38th place.
Some big gains for Ross in Stage 2️⃣. pic.twitter.com/eaWCO3iMFG
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) April 13, 2025
This outcome not only extinguished the glimmer of hope from Darlington but also intensified the scrutiny surrounding his NASCAR path. The DNF at Bristol served as a sobering reminder of the challenges and unpredictabilities within the sport, highlighting the fragility of momentum.
Van Gisbergen’s struggles emphasize the complexity of adapting to the demanding NASCAR circuit, raising questions about his direction and potential for success.
NASCAR Fan Frustration and Criticism of SVG’s Performance
How did the promise of Shane van Gisbergen’s shift to NASCAR become a source of mounting frustration for fans? Expectations were sky-high, yet his performance has been significantly disappointing.
“How much longer is the SVG experiment?”
“I thought SVG started off really well in NASCAR? Dominating on road courses and holding his own on ovals…but this year has been abysmal?” – nascar fans reaction
Despite being touted as a road course specialist, his best finish was a mere sixth place at COTA, where many anticipated a victory. Through seven starts, SVG’s average finish of 26.63 places him near the bottom, surpassed only by Cole Custer and Cody Ware.
His qualifying struggles compound the issue, as he frequently starts and finishes at the back. Five of his eight races have concluded with finishes in the 30s, further fueling fan discontent.
A significant incident at Bristol exemplified SVG’s challenges; an attempted pass on Cody Ware led to a spin and an early exit. Fans openly question the duration of this “SVG experiment,” as evidenced by blunt comments on social media, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.
Shan Van Gisbergen’s Mentorship Role and Potential for Improvement
While facing challenges in NASCAR, Shane van Gisbergen has adopted a mentorship role, aiming to foster the next generation of Supercars talent. His focus is on guiding Broc Feeney, a promising 22-year-old racer from Queensland. Feeney’s aspiration to follow in van Gisbergen’s footsteps is evident, as he recently visited the United States to observe the Cook Out 400 and reconnect with his former Triple Eight teammate.
Van Gisbergen’s mentorship is not limited to advice. He actively utilizes his connections with Trackhouse Racing to ease Feeney’s adaptation. This mentorship offers intrinsic value, emphasizing development over immediate results.
However, it also magnifies van Gisbergen’s own performance scrutiny. The question arises: if van Gisbergen struggles to succeed in NASCAR, how can he credibly mentor others? This dichotomy adds stress to his expedition, as fans question the feasibility of his guidance amidst his own challenges.
The Growing Backlash and Pressure on Trackhouse Racing
As the NASCAR season unfolds, Shane van Gisbergen‘s expedition at Trackhouse Racing has become a focal point of growing criticism and mounting strain. Fans’ frustrations resonate loudly on social media, mocking his shift from Supercars legend to a struggling NASCAR contender.
“World class sportscar driver Shane Van Gisbergen struggling in 35th at a short track in moonshine country Tennessee is a beautiful sight to see (I love SVG btw).” – nascar fan reaction
The irony of his current performance, juxtaposed with his past dominance, leaves fans questioning not only SVG but also Trackhouse Racing’s tactical decisions and setups. Fellow driver Daniel Suarez’s modest average finish of 21.4 highlights that the challenges are not isolated to van Gisbergen alone.
Critics argue that the team’s setups and crew chief decisions exacerbate the issues. With SVG’s car performance likened to disappointing past vehicles, the expectations of his early promise remain unmet.
“He’s given bad cars and has an incredibly dumb crew chief.” – nascar fan reaction
As SVG navigates the remainder of the season, including road courses, the strain intensifies for both driver and team to align performance with the high expectations initially set.
News in Brief: Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR Struggles
Despite the initial excitement surrounding Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR debut, his recent performances have left fans disillusioned and questioning his potential. The struggles at Bristol and multiple finishes in the 30s have intensified scrutiny, challenging both van Gisbergen and Trackhouse Racing. However, his role as a mentor and the possibility for growth offer glimmers of hope. Whether he can rise to the occasion and fulfill the high expectations remains a crucial question for his NASCAR expedition.
