Shane van Gisbergen, fresh off being named NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year in 2025, played a prominent role in the latest Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR highlights by initiating a pivotal on-track incident that spun out Josh Berry during the New Hampshire Cup Series playoff race. Berry, who was already contending with playoff elimination, saw his situation worsen after contact from van Gisbergen triggered his car to lose control and drop valuable positions.
Josh Berry’s playoff hopes took a significant blow in New Hampshire as he faced further setbacks following multiple disappointing finishes in previous races. The incident took place early in the race, where Berry and his No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford found themselves vulnerable after van Gisbergen’s aggressive maneuver. Locked in a difficult round and falling out of contention for the round of 12, Berry’s car struggled with handling, at times dipping violently low and making it exceedingly challenging for him to keep pace in the crowded field. NASCAR acknowledged the clash publicly on social media:
“The No. 21 spins! @joshberry goes for a ride after contact with the No. 88.”
This incident not only cemented Berry’s playoff exit but also highlighted van Gisbergen’s increasing prominence as a decisive, if sometimes controversial, competitor in the Cup Series. The repercussions for Berry were immediate, as the spin resulted in another low finish, prolonging his streak of three last-place results and pushing his team to reconsider their season strategy.
Van Gisbergen’s Winning Streak on Road Courses
Despite the tumult on traditional oval tracks, where van Gisbergen has only managed a handful of top-15 finishes, his transition to NASCAR has been marked by dominating performances on road courses. Piloting for Trackhouse Racing, van Gisbergen secured commanding victories in Mexico City, Sonoma, the Chicago Street Course, and Watkins Glen—each time distancing himself from the rest of the field with impressive leads. His road course specialist status has become a core theme in the season’s Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR highlights, reinforcing his value to the team and the sport’s increasing international appeal.
These performances have stood in stark contrast to his outings on ovals, where he continues to adapt to the unique challenges posed by NASCAR’s most iconic tracks. Nevertheless, the four victories have ensured that his debut season remains noteworthy and that both fans and competitors view van Gisbergen as a formidable threat whenever the series heads to a road course.
Admitting Fault After Playoff Elimination at Bristol
The emotional rollercoaster of van Gisbergen’s rookie campaign reached another peak during the Bristol Motor Speedway playoff race, where he directly addressed his own shortcomings. After qualifying 28th and finishing 26th—effectively ending his 2025 NASCAR playoff bid—he candidly shouldered responsibility for his performance in an interview broadcast by SiriusXM NASCAR Radio:
“I’m in a few minds, like happy that we had a pretty good run this year, and obviously you wanna go further. But I just didn’t perform well enough these last couple of weeks, you know,” van Gisbergen said via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“So, no one to blame but myself. Have to thank Trackhouse team, and everyone’s doing a good job. Yeah, year’s not over yet. So hopefully, keep getting good results,” van Gisbergen further added.
Van Gisbergen admitted that his adjustment to the Bristol track was incomplete, particularly concerning tire management, an aspect that continues to challenge even experienced drivers. While reflecting on his rookie campaign, he reiterated appreciation for Trackhouse Racing’s efforts and maintained optimism for the remainder of the season.
The Season’s Ripple Effect and What Lies Ahead
The spinout involving Berry at New Hampshire and van Gisbergen’s own playoff struggles exemplify the intense competition and emotional highs and lows that define the NASCAR Cup Series. For Berry and the Wood Brothers Ford team, the incident signals a difficult off-season ahead, as they regroup after a campaign increasingly marred by bad luck and critical errors.
For Shane van Gisbergen, this chapter in his rookie season showcases both the strengths and growing pains of a driver transitioning from road course dominance to the full demands of America’s premier stock car series. His bold maneuvers continue to drive headlines, while his candid self-assessment and determination suggest he’ll remain a central figure in future Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR highlights.
The 2025 season is set to continue with road and oval events alike, as van Gisbergen and rivals like Josh Berry return to the track, each aiming for redemption, competitive improvement, and—above all—the next opportunity to shape the storylines of NASCAR.
The No. 21 spins!@joshberry goes for a ride after contact with the No. 88. pic.twitter.com/HmnPv1fUB9
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
.@shanevg97's first #NASCARPlayoffs for @TeamTrackhouse come to an end in the Round of 16.
❌ "I just didn't perform well enough these last couple weeks. No one to blame but myself." pic.twitter.com/RpPoCHikh1
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 17, 2025
