Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR performance at New Hampshire Motor Speedway showed early promise before being upended by a significant crash partway through Sunday’s race. The Trackhouse Racing driver was coming off his best oval qualifying yet, lining up 10th and making an early charge into the top spots in the NASCAR Cup Series event.
Van Gisbergen, often referred to as “the Kiwi,” quickly advanced through the field, holding sixth place early and consistently placing within the top 10 over the opening third of the 301-lap contest. His competitive drive included close racing with frontrunners like Ryan Blaney and culminated in securing his first oval stage points by finishing seventh in Stage 1. These early laps hinted that van Gisbergen could be on track for a standout result on an oval circuit, leveraging his momentum from the previous qualifying session.
Early Incidents and the Decisive Accident
Even before the main crash, the race was not without incident for van Gisbergen. On lap 82, he tangled with Josh Berry, sending the Wood Brothers Racing Mustang for a spin and triggering a caution period. Despite these tense moments, van Gisbergen’s pace and composure suggested he would still deliver a respectable finish for Trackhouse Racing.
The pivotal moment arrived during a restart on lap 118. As the #88 Chevrolet Camaro navigated the congestion of Turn 2, Brad Keselowski attempted an inside maneuver, brushing the outside wall and clipping van Gisbergen’s car. The resulting contact sent the Kiwi sliding twice in front of the oncoming pack. Kyle Busch struck van Gisbergen’s car heavily, causing major front suspension damage. Teammate Daniel Suarez and Justin Haley were drawn in, with Suarez’s car coming to rest in the wall and ending his race prematurely.
“They just ran out of race track. The field scatters after multiple cars get together. pic.twitter.com/KGx2H4zXNb” — NASCAR (@NASCAR)
Van Gisbergen’s Struggles to Finish After Crash
Despite significant damage, van Gisbergen’s crew performed rapid repairs, allowing him to return to the race, albeit more than 50 laps behind. Ultimately, he finished 32nd, far from the top 10 position he had been competing for earlier in the event. The frustration of missed opportunity was evident post-race, as van Gisbergen explained:
“It was frustrating because the car was really strong, and we were running well,” — Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“I felt good on the long runs, and it could have been a solid result for us.” — Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Ryan Blaney Clinches Victory as Tension Mounts
Ryan Blaney emerged as the victor after a tense closing segment, narrowly fending off Josh Berry to secure the win and guarantee himself a place in the Round of 8. Blaney described the challenging nature of the race’s conclusion:
“Probably the hardest 20 laps I drove,” — Ryan Blaney, Driver
“He started to get super free, and it was all I could do to hold him off. Clean racing, and I appreciate Josh not throwing me the bumper when he could have.” — Ryan Blaney, Driver
The final laps saw a fierce battle among frontrunners, with Blaney’s defensive driving making the difference. Berry, who had earlier clashed with van Gisbergen, pushed hard but ultimately could not overtake for the lead.
Implications for Van Gisbergen and the Team
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR performance at New Hampshire offered a glimpse of what could be a promising future on ovals, but the disastrous incident serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in racing. Key figures involved in the incident—including Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, and Justin Haley—faced varying degrees of misfortune.
With another oval event looming, van Gisbergen and the Trackhouse Racing crew will be looking to regroup as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway. The race is scheduled for Monday, 29 September at 8:00am NZST, giving the team another chance to showcase resilience after a challenging outing in New Hampshire.
They just ran out of race track.
The field scatters after multiple cars get together. pic.twitter.com/KGx2H4zXNb
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
