Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) has electrified NASCAR with his road course mastery, but his adaptation to ovals and superspeedways—a hallmark of American stock car racing—has been a much tougher, more nuanced journey. While his road course victories have grabbed headlines, SVG’s results on NASCAR’s traditional tracks reveal both the steep learning curve international drivers face and the incremental progress he’s making in a fiercely competitive environment.
From Supercars to NASCAR Ovals
SVG arrived in NASCAR as a three-time Australian Supercars champion, where road and street circuits dominate the calendar. NASCAR, by contrast, is built on ovals of every size and banking, from half-mile bullrings to 2.5-mile superspeedways. The transition requires not just learning new tracks, but adapting to heavier cars, different tires, drafting tactics, and a radically different style of racecraft.
SVG himself has acknowledged the challenge:
“The way the car corners is different… The weight and tires are also noticeably different, contributing factors to my underperformance on oval tracks. But despite the steep learning curve, I’m enjoying life at the highest level.” – Shane van Gisbergen
Cup and Xfinity Series: Oval Track Results
NASCAR Cup Series (2025 Season)
Team: Trackhouse Racing, No. 88 Chevrolet
Crew Chief: Stephen Doran
Key Stats (as of July 2025):
Cup Points Rank: 27th
Average Start: 26.6
Average Finish: 22.9
Best Oval Finish: 14th at Charlotte (Coca-Cola 600)
Top 20s on Ovals: Charlotte (14th), Kansas (20th), Darlington (inside top 20)
Typical Oval Results: 20th or worse in 14 of 18 oval/superspeedway races.
SVG’s oval stats are a stark contrast to his road course dominance. Before his breakthrough win at Mexico City (a road course), he was languishing 33rd in the standings, with just one top-10 (at Circuit of the Americas, also a road course). He has not yet posted a top-10 finish on an oval in the Cup Series.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
SVG’s Xfinity starts on ovals have followed a similar pattern: solid, methodical runs but rarely contending for wins or top-fives. His standout Xfinity performances have all come on road courses: wins at Portland, Sonoma, and Chicago. On ovals, he’s typically a mid-pack presence, focusing on learning and finishing races.
Notable Performances and Signs of Improvement
Despite the struggles, there are clear signs of progress:
Charlotte (Coca-Cola 600): SVG ran inside the top 20 most of the night, finishing 14th—his best oval result to date and a significant improvement in race management and pace.
Kansas & Texas: Back-to-back top-20s at intermediate ovals, showing improved comfort and adaptability.
North Wilkesboro (All-Star Open): Won the pole and led the first half of the race before a strategy misstep dropped him back—evidence of growing qualifying speed and racecraft on short tracks.
Qualifying: SVG’s best oval qualifying efforts have improved over time, with a notable 23rd at Nashville (after starting 26th at Daytona).
SVG’s own assessment is optimistic:
“I think we’ve shown great improvement most weeks. I feel like we’re getting better and better. Our potential is certainly a lot higher on the ovals, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it. Like our team environment is really good. Most weeks, we’re having a good time. These road courses are coming up, that’s just a bonus for us.” – Shane van Gisbergen
He also noted,
“The last month and a half we’ve made some huge leaps in speed and competitiveness. We’ve gone from running in the 30s to being p—– off with an 18th.” – Shane van Gisbergen
Trackhouse Racing and Adaptation
SVG’s journey is also shaped by his team. Trackhouse Racing, a relatively young but ambitious organization, has provided competitive equipment and a supportive environment. Crew chief Stephen Doran has been praised for his tactical flexibility, especially on road courses, but the team is still building its knowledge base for SVG’s unique needs on ovals.
SVG’s approach has been methodical:
“I know I have a lot to learn, like I’m the problem, I guess, but I don’t feel like I’m forcing it—or driving outside my limits—I feel like every week I’m just being methodical about it, rather than forcing it, but I feel good about where it’s going. We can’t be finishing 30th every week, and I feel like we’ve improved on that.” – Shane van Gisbergen
Early Struggles vs. Recent Progress
Early Season: Regularly finished 30th or worse on ovals, struggled with traffic, tire management, and the nuances of NASCAR’s drafting and pit strategy.
Recent Races: More consistent top-20 runs, better qualifying, and increased ability to stay on the lead lap and avoid trouble. The learning curve remains steep, but the trajectory is upward.
Fan and Industry Perspective
SVG’s oval results have sparked debate among fans and analysts. Some expected instant success after his road course heroics, while others recognized the enormity of the challenge.
“Has there ever been a driver with such a substantial edge on road courses? I doubt it… but ovals are a different animal.” – Denny Hamlin
Social chatter reflects a mix of patience and skepticism, with many acknowledging the difficulty of the transition and others questioning whether SVG can ever be a consistent oval contender.
The International Learning Curve
SVG’s experience is not unique. Other international stars—Juan Pablo Montoya, Marcos Ambrose, and even Formula 1 champions—have found NASCAR’s ovals to be a unique and daunting challenge. The combination of car weight, drafting, traffic, and pit strategy is unlike anything in global motorsport.
SVG himself relishes the variety:
“This is the most I’ve enjoyed my racing in a long time. Every week, it’s a new challenge… Every week feels refreshing, which is cool, and there is always something to try, and the cars are forever developing. It’s pretty cool.” – Shane van Gisbergen
Is the Criticism Fair?
SVG’s oval results may not match his road course brilliance, but his progression is clear. He’s moved from backmarker to mid-pack, with flashes of top-15 potential. For a driver with no prior oval experience, this is a significant achievement in just over a year.
While fans may hope for quicker results, the reality is that NASCAR’s ovals require years of adaptation. SVG’s methodical approach, team support, and growing confidence suggest that, given time, he could become a threat on all track types—not just the twisty ones.
Road Course Mastery Continues at Sonoma
While SVG’s oval learning curve remains ongoing, his dominance on road courses shows no signs of slowing. In Friday’s qualifying at Sonoma Raceway, van Gisbergen captured the pole position for the 2025 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250—his second straight Xfinity Series pole and another marker of his road course prowess. Driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, SVG outpaced the field by nearly a quarter-second. The performance further cements his status as the man to beat when NASCAR turns left and right.
News in Brief: Shane van Gisbergen’s Performance on NASCAR’s Non-Road Course Tracks
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey on ovals is a story of humility, hard work, and steady progress. While he remains the undisputed king of road courses, his oval career is a work in progress—one marked by incremental gains, a willingness to learn, and a determination to master one of motorsport’s toughest transitions. As the season unfolds, SVG’s continued improvement on ovals will be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch in NASCAR.
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