Bubba Wallace reacts to SVG Charlotte win, reflecting on witnessing Shane van Gisbergen’s first oval victory at the Charlotte Summer Shootout, an event that drew fresh excitement and showcased talent from top-tier Cup Series competitors. The breakthrough win at Charlotte Motor Speedway marked a historic moment for van Gisbergen, with Wallace openly acknowledging the impact, and the scene brought together an array of racing’s rising and established stars.
SVG makes major strides on ovals, impresses the NASCAR community
Bubba Wallace’s description of Shane van Gisbergen’s rapid adaptation to oval racing summed up the shared admiration within the sport:
“The son of a b—- qualified 11th (at Indianapolis) on oval. He’s figuring it out.”
—Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver. Van Gisbergen, the New Zealand driver affectionately known as SVG, had always shone brightly on road courses, but oval tracks were his biggest challenge coming into the Cup Series. That changed with his qualifying performance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where SVG secured 11th on the grid, a result that caught the paddock by surprise and fueled the belief that adaptation was well underway.
The Charlotte Summer Shootout, run in grassroots Legend Cars, provided a different kind of challenge and an even bigger opportunity. While van Gisbergen had struggled with transforming road course expertise into oval success, the event at Charlotte delivered his first-ever win on an oval track in the Pro Legends A-feature category. SVG qualified third and engaged in an intense duel with Jake Bollman over 25 competitive laps. It was a clean, hard-fought race, and SVG prevailed by just 0.417 seconds, while Scott McLaughlin—another well-known Cup driver from New Zealand—came home in ninth position. The win wasn’t just a result; it was a breakthrough, signaling SVG’s progress on a surface where many expected him to struggle much longer.
Bubba Wallace responds to the excitement of SVG’s breakthrough win
Even as SVG claimed a significant milestone, Bubba Wallace was on hand to witness it up close. Despite contesting the same Summer Shootout in his familiar No. 76 pro Legends entry, Wallace’s night was more challenging, culminating in a 16th-place finish due to mechanical challenges and qualifying woes. Nevertheless, his focus shifted to van Gisbergen’s special achievement, embracing the moment for his peer.
“Not the ending to the shootout that we wanted, but it was cool to see SVG get this first Oval win. He had to go down a couple levels to Legend Car to get it, but all in all, it’s been fun racing with him and Scotty, and Keelan this year. Hope for better results, but all in all, it was good.”
—Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver. Wallace’s comments reflected not just sportsmanship but recognition of SVG’s journey, noting the unique transition from the highest levels of Cup racing down to grassroots arenas in pursuit of oval mastery.
From his seat in the paddock, Wallace expressed further respect for van Gisbergen’s persistence, as SVG himself shared,
“It was fun. It was one of the cleanest races up the front that I’ve seen. I really enjoyed it. Had some good battles. Great racing with the #71. I think he won the championship too, so congrats to him. We raised clean, and then at the end, he had the opportunity to move me, and he didn’t. I had a lot of fun, my first oval win.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Driver. The spirit of clean, competitive racing stood out, underscoring the reasons these grassroots events remain appealing to Cup regulars and emerging talent alike.
Wallace further celebrated SVG’s climb up the oval racing ladder, acknowledging the Kiwi’s determination and adaptability:
“It was cool to see [@shanevg97] get his first oval win. He had to go down a couple levels to Legend car to get it.”
—Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver. The Legend Car win was a milestone for van Gisbergen, but the shared joy among NASCAR’s established figures spoke to the larger camaraderie and mutual respect within the paddock.
SVG’s performance at the Brickyard and Summer Shootout sets a new standard
Van Gisbergen’s journey through Indy and Charlotte highlighted the different demands drivers face between the Cup Series and grassroots contests. In Indianapolis, SVG entered with his best Cup Series oval qualifying to date—just 0.455 seconds behind the pole. Though he experienced engine troubles and lost ground during the Brickyard 400, he steadied the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet to secure a 19th-place finish. This marked his fifth top 20 on an oval in 2025, further supporting his learning curve and adaptability. Meanwhile, his Charlotte performance—culminating in the dramatic A-feature duel—marked a tangible sign that SVG was determined not only to participate but to excel across racing’s many formats.
Bubba Wallace, after his own victory at Indianapolis, was candid about returning to his Legends racing roots. He mentioned how the grassroots circuit is both a reminder of his early career and an important opportunity for mentorship:
“It’s fun. You get to interact with all the kids and share somewhat of advice that I have. I’ve been doing Legend Cars for a long time, and so, yeah, it’s just all about having fun.”
—Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver. It’s clear that for Wallace, these events bring together enjoyment, learning, and the essential spirit of racing, away from the high-pressure world of Cup Series competition.
Grassroots events reinvigorate Cup stars and promise more progress for SVG
Participating in the pro Legends division at Charlotte, Wallace lined up at the back of the field after struggling in qualifying, but managed to fight forward during the main event, albeit ultimately crossing the line five laps down. The presence of competitors like SVG, McLaughlin, and Keelan Harvick added pedigree and excitement to the race, bringing together an intriguing mix of youth and experience. Wallace’s observations about grassroots racing’s recharging power echoed through his weekend, and his willingness to both mentor and compete revealed how much these developmental series mean, even to those who have reached the sport’s top echelons.
For SVG, the Summer Shootout was more than a diversion; it provided a hands-on arena to develop essential oval skills. His assertion that the Legends Car seat time “hasn’t hurt it” regarding his oval abilities emphasized the crucial connection between grassroots competition and success at the highest levels. SVG signaled that round 10 would mark his final appearance in the 2025 series, as he would be returning to New Zealand for the winter, but remained hopeful for a return to Charlotte’s ranks in 2026. His historic first oval win established a new expectation, affirming the importance of continued growth and varied racing experience as he navigates NASCAR’s demanding landscape.
Bubba Wallace reflects on rivalry and respect with Kyle Larson
In the wake of SVG’s headline-making Charlotte win, another notable story emerged between Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson. Wallace snapped a long-standing drought with his first Cup Series win in over three years at Indianapolis, outlasting Larson in a tense finish. Their rivalry has been marked by both tense encounters and a growing mutual respect, most notably since a controversial 2022 Las Vegas incident that once resulted in Wallace’s suspension. This year at Indianapolis, their battle was clean, competitive, and ultimately ended with Wallace receiving heartfelt congratulations from Larson. Expressing how his attitude towards Larson has evolved, Wallace shared,
“Game recognizes game, and it’s a sign of respect. Like I said, I respect the hell out of what Larson does. I wish I had that talent. You can’t be jealous of someone else’s success. Yeah, I’ve got to work harder to get to where he’s at, and it’s days like this where you see it pay off. At the end of the day, when you go up and congratulate somebody, it’s just game recognizing game.”
—Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver.
Wallace’s words offered insight into the mindset now driving his approach to competition. Instead of rivalry devolving into animosity, both drivers harness their connection for personal growth, with Wallace crediting the success of others, like Larson’s 32 career Cup wins, as inspiration to keep striving for improvement. This atmosphere of respect has become emblematic of the new culture forming within NASCAR’s upper ranks.
A milestone win and a vibrant scene for NASCAR’s future
Shane van Gisbergen’s first oval victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway is more than a personal milestone. The win proves adaptability is possible for even the most road-focused drivers and signals the continued cross-pollination between international talent and American short-track traditions. With fierce competitors like SVG, Bubba Wallace, Scott McLaughlin, and Keelan Harvick all featuring prominently, the 2025 Summer Shootout served as an exciting showcase for both the coming generation and NASCAR’s established names.
The vibrant exchanges between Cup veterans and grassroots racers deepen the sport’s talent pool, foster mentorship, and rekindle enthusiasm for the fundamentals of racing. As Wallace summed up with lively, humble, and energetic praise, the shared experiences at Charlotte and Indianapolis may point toward a season rich with fresh storylines and collective growth—setting the stage for potential future wins and unforgettable moments in NASCAR’s ever-evolving scene.
