Shane van Gisbergen‘s NASCAR playoff exit became official after a difficult night at Bristol Motor Speedway, as the Cup Series rookie from New Zealand fell short of the points needed to continue his postseason run. Despite showing promise throughout his first season, van Gisbergen’s challenges on oval tracks ultimately ended his hopes for a 2025 playoff spot with Trackhouse Racing.
Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet, van Gisbergen started Saturday’s race needing a significant points gain to keep his championship dreams alive. Instead, he suffered two spins on the short Bristol oval, which disrupted his rhythm and led to an early end to his evening. He fell 19 points shy of advancing, a result he addressed candidly.
“Proud. It’s a privilege to be here but also pissed at myself. The last few weeks I just haven’t been good enough. I’ve been really doing well, getting better at ovals and I just haven’t performed the last couple weeks.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
The New Zealand driver did not hold back when discussing what went wrong, expressing both pride in his team and disappointment with his own performance. He acknowledged that he hadn’t figured out the unique qualities of Bristol’s racing surface and tire management quickly enough to be competitive.
“Didn’t understand the track early enough there and what the tires were doing and how to save them. I blame myself at the moment, but thanks to the Trackhouse team we’ve had an awesome year and it’s still not over yet, but I need to be better myself and it’s just going to come with time.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Adjusting From Road Course Success to Oval Challenges
Shane van Gisbergen made an impressive jump to NASCAR this season after his career in Australia’s Supercars Championship, quickly winning four races—including at the Chicago Street Course, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Watkins Glen International, and another street circuit. These victories, all coming on street or road courses, ensured his spot in the playoffs and established him as a formidable contender.
However, oval tracks like Bristol Motor Speedway have represented a steep learning curve for the rookie. To advance in the playoffs, van Gisbergen needed to recover from a 15-point deficit but instead left with a deeper sense of frustration due to the difficulties of adapting to tight turns, shifting grip levels, and rapid tire wear.
“I didn’t do a good enough job,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
“The team gave me a great car, but I couldn’t get it done on the ovals. That’s on me.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Bristol was not van Gisbergen’s only challenge on ovals this year. Earlier, he finished 32nd at Darlington Raceway and struggled to a 38th-place finish in the Bristol spring race. Even so, his aggressive style and adaptability on road courses have made him one of the breakout stars of this NASCAR Cup Series season, gaining respect among drivers and fans alike.
Determination Beyond the Playoff Elimination
While the outcome at Bristol was disheartening, Shane van Gisbergen has made it clear he is not giving up on the year. He is already setting his sights on the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in October, a venue where he hopes his road racing experience will help him secure a fifth Cup Series win.
Van Gisbergen is also turning his attention to supporting his teammate, Ross Chastain, who remains in contention for the championship. Teamwork has become the immediate focus for the Trackhouse Racing crew as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive through Chastain’s efforts.
“Yeah, I’ll do everything I can prep-wise, help him study, and now the priority for our team is to get the 1 through to the next round and to the finals,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
As the season continues, van Gisbergen’s rookie journey stands out for its emotional highs and lows, from dominant wins on road courses to tough lessons on ovals. Despite the disappointment, his approach suggests both accountability and determination, setting a foundation for potential future success as he learns and grows within the NASCAR environment.
