Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand motorsports star, is working intensely to adapt to the demanding world of NASCAR oval racing, where his skills are being put to the test as he aims for a spot in this weekend’s highly anticipated NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Having stunned the motorsport world with a win in his first-ever Cup race during the debut Chicago Street Race in 2023, van Gisbergen’s journey has shifted into a tough proving ground, as the pressure to translate his previous successes into consistent performances on ovals grows with each event.
After earning three wins and finishing twelfth overall in his only full Xfinity Series campaign last year, Shane van Gisbergen made an ambitious leap to the Cup Series. However, this current full Cup season has brought fresh challenges, as he navigates the intensely competitive environment and the unique intricacies of NASCAR’s oval tracks. The stock cars are heavier and faster, and the racing is a world away from the Australian Supercars circuits where he was a three-time champion, making the learning curve unusually steep for even a driver of his pedigree.
In the lead-up to the All-Star Race, van Gisbergen has been candid about his ongoing struggles and determination to improve. Reflecting on whether the transition to ovals has been tougher than anticipated, he admitted,
“Yes and no. I never expected them to be easy, but I thought I was making strides last season in Xfinity and really getting some good results halfway through the year. This year we’ve had glimpses but really, qualifying is my weakness. Then in races, once you are buried, it’s so hard to pass in these cars.”
He elaborated on the unique pressures of adapting to new tracks with limited preparation, noting,
“I need to be a bit better with car placement and getting up to speed quicker. It’s so difficult when you only have 15-20 minutes of practice, then straight into qualifying. It’s hard to get up to speed on these places I haven’t been before. It will take time and I’m not trying to force it or get desperate. Just going to keep working and building.”
His comments highlight the emotional turbulence and urgency inherent in the adaptation process, but also showcase a calm resilience as he faces unfamiliar challenges.
As it stands, Shane van Gisbergen is ranked 35th in the Cup standings, with his best performance being a sixth-place finish at the Circuit of the Americas, a road course where his Supercars experience translates well. In contrast, his results on oval tracks have been less rewarding. His strongest oval finish this year has been 20th place, reached at both Darlington and Kansas, yet he has logged seven results of 29th or lower from the 11 oval races he has entered this season. The transition has been complicated by early exits due to incidents, including back-to-back crashes at Phoenix and Las Vegas, as well as a suspension failure at Bristol that ended his day prematurely.
Despite these setbacks, Shane van Gisbergen remains a fan favorite and continues to approach each new race as an opportunity to learn and progress. This weekend brings the special appeal of the All-Star Race—a non-points event—where he hopes reduced pressure will allow him to experiment and adapt further. The public’s support for van Gisbergen is clear, with fans placing him among the top five in All-Star Race fan voting. Eager to seize the moment, van Gisbergen expressed his excitement:
“I think it is going to be fun to do something different. The format looks pretty cool with qualifying involving the pit crew. It’s pretty awesome that I’m a top-five driver in fan votes, thanks to all my supporters! Hoping we can race for a million dollars (the prize that goes to the winner of the All-Star Race) on Sunday.”
The All-Star Race will offer a valuable chance for Shane van Gisbergen to absorb new lessons and adapt in an environment where the pressures of championship points are set aside. The All-Star Open event, held just before the main race, presents his first hurdle: he must deliver a strong performance in this preliminary contest to earn a place among NASCAR’s elite for Sunday evening’s main event. The timing could prove pivotal, as the learnings and confidence from this weekend may directly impact his results in the demanding regular season, especially with the looming 600-mile Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway just around the corner, an endurance challenge that marks another milestone in his transition.
For Shane van Gisbergen, each passing race is a test of patience, adaptability, and racing acumen. As he juggles the expectations of a global fanbase and the realities of a steep learning curve, the coming months will be critical. Should he build momentum from the All-Star Race and translate new skills onto oval tracks, the potential for breakthrough results remains strong. For now, though, all eyes are on North Wilkesboro Speedway, where van Gisbergen’s pursuit to conquer NASCAR’s ovals continues with renewed intensity, determination, and a sense of excitement shared by fans and racing insiders alike.
