Shane van Gisbergen’s impressive rookie campaign in NASCAR came to a halt after a P26 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway, ending his playoff hopes with Trackhouse Racing. Despite entering the weekend with a solid 22 bonus points, previous struggles at Darlington (P36) and Gateway (P25) left him in a difficult position heading into Bristol.
The elimination was a bitter blow for van Gisbergen, often referred to as the Kiwi, as he had a realistic shot at advancing deep into the postseason, especially with his dominance on road courses. Having claimed four out of five road course victories this year—a new benchmark for a Cup rookie—he was poised for a potential breakthrough if he could survive the initial playoff rounds.
Reflections on Disappointment and Personal Responsibility
In the aftermath of the Bristol race, van Gisbergen spoke candidly about the emotional toll of the exit, expressing both pride and frustration at missing out on further playoff contention. He did not shy away from holding himself accountable for Trackhouse Racing‘s fate, emphasizing how recent performances on oval tracks undermined his run.
Yeah, I’m happy but frustrated. 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, via motorsport.com
The veteran racer, piloting the No. 88 Chevy, acknowledged his repeated struggles on ovals across the last several races as a key factor in missing out on further playoff advancement. This realization weighed heavily on him as he looked back at missed opportunities.
Van Gisbergen also pointed out a learning curve with adapting to the newer Goodyear tires used early in the race, which contributed to his underwhelming result. The three-time Supercars champion openly admitted responsibility for not delivering the results his team deserved and stressed his determination to continue growing.
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 still not over yet, but I need to be better myself and it’s just going to come with time.
—Shane van Gisbergen
Appreciation for the Journey and Team Effort
While the outcome was disappointing, van Gisbergen conveyed gratitude for the opportunity to compete among NASCAR’s best, highlighting that simply making the Cup Series playoffs was a meaningful achievement. Reflecting on his road to the postseason, he approached his performance with both humility and perspective.
I knew it was going to be a long shot today, but I’m still proud of what we’ve achieved this year. It’s been a privilege to be in the Playoffs. Everyone knew the first round was going to be difficult, I just didn’t do a good enough job.
—Shane van Gisbergen
He acknowledged the challenges anticipated at the start of the playoffs, admitting that the team as a whole faced difficulties and ultimately paid the price for them. Trackhouse Racing’s journey, despite the setback, was marked by moments of growth and learning that van Gisbergen intends to build upon.
Focus Shifts to Improvement and Upcoming Races
Looking forward, van Gisbergen emphasized his continued commitment to progress, particularly when it comes to racing on oval tracks. While clearly comfortable and successful on road courses, as evidenced by his record-breaking rookie season, the quest for improvement on ovals now takes center stage in his ambitions.
I need to keep getting better at the ovals and the road courses will keep working, but I need to start improving on this stuff. It was awesome. As I said, it’s a privilege to be in it. Cool to have that pressure. We didn’t perform the best we could. That’s on us, but still cool to be here.
—Shane van Gisbergen
Van Gisbergen underlined his desire to learn from the playoff experience, viewing the high-pressure environment as something he can use to hone his skills for future seasons. With seven races remaining on the Cup schedule, he is set on proving his capabilities and helping Trackhouse Racing finish the year on a positive note.
His journey throughout the NASCAR playoffs resonated with fans and competitors alike, showing the difficult path facing international rookies moving up through the Cup Series ranks. Van Gisbergen’s candidness about his shortcomings and readiness to work on them suggests he aims to return as a stronger contender in future playoff runs.
As the season continues, close watchers of the sport will be tracking Shane van Gisbergen’s efforts to adapt further, especially on oval circuits, and anticipating how these steps will influence both his development as a driver and the trajectory of Trackhouse Racing’s campaign.
