Shane van Gisbergen, recognized as a Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR road course expert after notching three Cup Series victories, now turns his attention toward conquering oval tracks, a pursuit he believes remains the key to a lasting NASCAR career. The New Zealander’s impressive road course performances have set high expectations as he prepares to compete in Sunday’s Cup Series event.
Building a Reputation as a Road Course Standout
Since transitioning from the Supercars Championship, van Gisbergen has proven to be a dominant force on road courses in the NASCAR Cup Series, claiming victory in two of the three road course races he entered this season. His strong Supercars background has given him an edge on winding circuits, and with three more non-oval races looming, opportunities remain for the rookie to extend his win tally.
Van Gisbergen’s skills were on full display ahead of the toyota/”>Toyota/Save Mart 350, where he secured pole position. In Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, he finished just behind Connor Zilisch, reinforcing his growing status among NASCAR’s diverse field of drivers.
Adjusting Ambitions: From Road Courses to Ovals
While van Gisbergen’s expertise on road and street circuits is clear, he understands that the majority of NASCAR events take place on oval tracks, which present a different set of challenges. Determined to expand his skill set, he openly acknowledges the steep learning curve that ovals demand and observes the difficulties even the most seasoned drivers face when switching disciplines.
“Yeah, like a night and day difference,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Drawing from experiences such as the Nashville race, which preceded his Chicago start in 2023, he has expressed admiration for oval specialists. Watching drivers who are remarkable on ovals struggle with the technical intricacies of road courses highlights, for van Gisbergen, the distinct demands of each NASCAR track type.
Progress has been steady, but van Gisbergen maintains a humble perspective, acknowledging he is still searching for his first Cup Series win on an oval layout. He notes that every outing brings new lessons, and each lap builds his understanding and adaptability as he tries to close the performance gap to oval experts.
“(I’m) learning what feelings and what I need from the car, and yeah, these races are fun for me.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Confronting the Unique Challenge of American Tracks
Comparing American circuits to those in New Zealand, van Gisbergen points out features that demand fresh approaches and increased focus. He highlights the unique risks and opportunities posed by corners like Sonoma’s Turn 10, where the close proximity of barriers means mistakes carry severe consequences, but confidence and precision can deliver significant speed gains.
“It’s pretty much its own track here (in the US), really,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
“It’s a pretty cool corner there, knowing if you get it wrong, it’s a big penalty, but the speed you can carry through there and the time you can make up is pretty high. Coming down the S’s is really cool, but yeah, we don’t really have much tracks with elevation in New Zealand.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
He underscores the contrast between the elevation changes and high commitment zones found on U.S. tracks and the more flat, forgiving circuits of his homeland, further illustrating his ongoing adaptation to the NASCAR environment.
The Road Ahead for van Gisbergen
As Shane van Gisbergen enters the next phase of his NASCAR journey, his achievements on road courses have propelled him into the spotlight, while his pursuit of oval mastery continues to present new hurdles. Teammates, rivals, and racing fans alike are watching closely to see how this Kiwi driver, now a proven Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR road course expert, evolves to compete for wins across all track types. His openness about the learning process and respect for oval specialists demonstrate his dedication to becoming a more complete driver, hinting at potential breakout performances as he gains more experience on America’s most iconic tracks.
