Shane van Gisbergen’s hopes for a deep playoff run ended at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday with a 26th-place finish, officially eliminating him from the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Still, the Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR 2025 season is defined by record-setting wins and continued progress, ensuring plenty of highlights despite his early postseason exit.
Historic Rookie Achievements Set New Standards
Van Gisbergen’s inaugural Cup Series season saw him rewrite the record books, notching four road course victories. These four wins set a new high-water mark for rookies, making him the winningest first-year driver in series history. Representing Trackhouse Racing, his performance stands as the most successful single season by a driver from his team, and has elevated his reputation among the most accomplished road course racers in NASCAR’s history.
Growth on Ovals and More Chances Ahead
Despite his expertise on road courses, van Gisbergen also showed improvement on oval tracks as the year progressed. With seven races remaining before he begins his sophomore campaign in 2026, van Gisbergen has several opportunities to continue learning. One of those will come at the Charlotte Roval on October 5, a familiar road course environment that has already proven fruitful for his driving style. Even though a championship is now out of reach, he and the No. 88 team are focused on maximizing their final position in the standings, with a possible finish as high as fifth still attainable in the coming weeks.
Reflections on Performance and the Road Ahead
After his playoff exit, van Gisbergen offered a candid assessment of his recent form and the challenges he has faced late in the season. He said, “I’m happy but frustrated,” adding,
“Proud and privileged to be here, but also pissed at myself (that) the last few weeks just haven’t been good enough. I’ve been doing really well getting better at ovals, and I just haven’t performed the last couple of weeks. I blame myself. We’ve had an awesome year, and it’s still not over yet. I need to be better myself, and it’s just going to come with time.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Paving the Way to Future Success
As van Gisbergen prepares for the rest of the season, his established status as a record-setter for Trackhouse Racing, his place among leading road racers, and his signs of growth on ovals outline a career on the rise. The next races provide opportunities to further hone his skills before the next NASCAR Cup Series campaign. With support from his team and determination to improve, van Gisbergen’s 2025 performance promises to be a foundation for even greater accomplishments in the future, keeping the spotlight on his journey for fans and competitors alike.
