Shane van Gisbergen playoff struggles escalated at the Southern 500, where the driver saw his once-secure playoff spot come under threat after a series of costly pit stops on Sunday night. Despite entering the Darlington event with a comfortable 16-point buffer above the cutoff, van Gisbergen now sits only three points clear of elimination as the Round of 16 progresses, raising serious concerns for the Kiwi’s ongoing postseason run.
Early Optimism Fades Amid Strategy Missteps
Van Gisbergen initiated the race with promise, running solidly within the top 15 and showing competitive pace against his playoff rivals. However, a poorly timed caution during Stage 2, combined with a decision to stretch his stay on the track, set the stage for a downward slide. Following these setbacks, the No. 88 Chevrolet began to falter, failing to match the performance needed to regain ground among the playoff drivers.
Costly Pit Lane Decisions Undermine Track Position
The heart of van Gisbergen’s troubles emerged on the pit lane, where strategy and setup attempts backfired with devastating effects. Veteran NASCAR mechanic Bozi Tatarevic detailed the situation:
“Shane was unhappy with the handling of the car, so they were throwing so many changes at it. And on lap 118, they decided to do a big, big adjustment on the left front. Basically to change the balance of the car, change some rounds and that resulted in a 54-second pit stop.” —Bozi Tatarevic, Veteran NASCAR Mechanic
This extended stop destroyed any advantage the team had gained, causing van Gisbergen to lose crucial track position. The challenges continued later in the race, as described by Tatarevic:
“They had similar adjustments later on, on lap 205. That was another 35-second stop. Same type of situation. Left front wheel off, mechanic in there making tweaks, making adjustments. And that’s, maybe changing rounds or maybe changing shock settings. Who knows? But the car was very ill-handling based on SVG’s description. So, they threw a lot at it,” Tatarevic continued. —Bozi Tatarevic, Veteran NASCAR Mechanic
Throughout the event, Trackhouse Racing’s No. 88 crew continued to try various adjustments, with remaining stops in the 10 to 11-second range involving minor tweaks. Despite their efficient execution, the essential issue remained the car’s balance and handling, not the crew’s performance. In the end, none of the changes provided van Gisbergen with the pace or control needed to mount a comeback.
Driver and Team Search for Solutions
Reflecting on a challenging day, van Gisbergen acknowledged the team’s persistent efforts and the impact of unfortunate timing:
“Our car was very different from yesterday. Stephen (Doran, crew chief) didn’t give up on tuning on it, but we just couldn’t make it better. We tried something different with strategy but got a caution at the wrong time and couldn’t rebound from it.” —Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
The result was a 32nd-place finish, the lowest showing among all Trackhouse Racing drivers—a stark contrast to the four wins van Gisbergen secured earlier in his rookie campaign. The frustration among the team was matched only by the urgency created by his new precarious position in the standings.
High Stakes Loom Ahead at Gateway
With 2027 points, Shane van Gisbergen enters the next round just three points safe from elimination in the NASCAR playoffs. Consistency, particularly on oval circuits, has proven elusive for the rookie, despite his regular-season triumphs. The upcoming race at World Wide Technology Raceway in Gateway represents both a fresh challenge and an unfamiliar battleground—the September 7 Enjoy Illinois 300 marks van Gisbergen’s debut at the unique 1.25-mile venue.
As the playoff cut line looms and only two rounds remain before potential elimination, every decision and adjustment gains new weight for the Trackhouse Racing crew. With intense competition among the playoff drivers, Shane van Gisbergen, his pit crew, and crew chief Stephen Doran face mounting pressure to resolve the car’s setup issues. The coming weeks will determine whether this remarkable rookie season can withstand its toughest test yet—or if these playoff struggles will bring a premature end to van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey.
