Shane van Gisbergen’s rise during his NASCAR Playoffs journey has captivated fans, especially after a breakout appearance at the Chicago Street Course in 2023. As the only rookie in this year’s Playoffs, van Gisbergen heads into the challenging Round of 16 with four wins, making a remarkable statement for Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and placing himself in the spotlight alongside NASCAR veterans.
Rapid Rise and Championship Hopes
Entering NASCAR as a largely unknown figure among Cup Series regulars, Shane van Gisbergen quickly changed perceptions with a series of impressive performances. His four victories—each claimed on road or street courses—have tied him with Denny Hamlin for the most wins this season. This success, combined with clinching the NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year award, has given the New Zealander a 16-point buffer above the Playoff elimination threshold going into the Round of 16. Reflecting on his progress, van Gisbergen said,
“It’s a privilege I guess to be here and we’ve had an amazing year and run, so hopefully keep going.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Learning Curves on Oval Tracks
As the Playoff battles intensify, the format will quickly test van Gisbergen’s adaptability. The opening round features no road courses—instead, it begins with three ovals: Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol. Each poses a distinct challenge, especially as Gateway is new to him and Bristol has previously been a tough learning experience. With three drivers set to be eliminated after these races, steady finishes are critical for advancement. Despite the pressure, van Gisbergen has shown measurable progress on ovals over the course of the season, attributing his improvements to increased experience behind the wheel. He commented,
“I don’t know anything different. It’s taken me a long time to learn the ovals, particularly because I haven’t done them before. So finally starting to go to tracks for the second time and yeah, hopefully go better.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Among the upcoming tracks, Darlington excites van Gisbergen the most due to its demand for precision. He explained,
“You’ve got to be millimetre perfect every lap, comfortable to run against the wall and the proximity to the wall, and then the repetition and consistency. I think that seems to suit me, and the way the cars slide around, I really enjoy that place.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
However, Bristol remains a sticking point after a challenging run earlier in the season, while Gateway presents an entirely new test as he has not raced there before. The New Zealander’s willingness to face these obstacles head-on continues to set him apart.
Adopting the Underdog Mentality
Despite a strong regular season, van Gisbergen’s lack of oval accolades compared to his road course achievements leads some observers to predict a swift exit from the Playoffs. Rather than seeing this as added pressure, he has embraced an outsider status.
“It puts no pressure on us, right? If we have a good week this week, it makes the next few harder. But if we have a tough week, it puts us in a hole and it’s going to be hard to get out of it. Hopefully it will be nice to prove people wrong, too.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
This mindset has shaped his approach to the postseason, maintaining determination without relying on external doubt for fuel.
“it’s always fun to have your back against the wall, and have to push hard. I don’t use it for motivation or anything, but it’s cool being the underdog.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
The Road Ahead in the NASCAR Cup Playoffs
Last season, Chase Briscoe was the final driver to advance beyond the Round of 16, collecting 80 points—roughly equivalent to finishing tenth place in three consecutive events, not counting additional stage points. With his strong cushion of bonus points, van Gisbergen does not necessarily need a groundbreaking run, as consistent top-15 finishes could be enough for him to advance. His recent finishes, including fourteenth at Richmond and sixteenth at Daytona, illustrate his ability to stay within striking range even on less familiar tracks. As the Round of 16 unfolds, veterans like Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin remain formidable competitors, heightening the challenge and intrigue of this year’s title fight.
Shane van Gisbergen’s unique combination of international pedigree, adaptability, and a willingness to confront the unknown ensures that his NASCAR Playoffs journey will be watched closely. Whether he advances deep into the postseason or not, his performance is altering expectations and inspiring fans who appreciate the drive of an underdog—the very quality that defines his debut campaign.
