TrackHouse Racing suffered a setback ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Kansas, after the No. 88 team, led by driver Shane van Gisbergen, was penalized by NASCAR for an unapproved adjustment. The TrackHouse Racing NASCAR penalty followed post-inspection modifications during the practice session, complicating preparations for the team as they head into a crucial race weekend.
NASCAR Issues Strict Penalty After Rule Violation
The penalty came down after NASCAR officials discovered that the TrackHouse Racing team made a technical adjustment to the No. 88 car following inspection. The infraction was only detected after the conclusion of qualifying, resulting in immediate disciplinary measures. Notably, this same infraction had previously affected Michael McDowell and his team for this race.
Because of the violation, Shane van Gisbergen will lose his pit stall selection, be pushed to the rear of the field at the start, and serve a stop-and-go penalty on pit lane. These setbacks significantly impact the team’s race-day strategy, making the path to a strong finish much steeper.
Leadership Changes in the Garage: Chaise Eliason Steps Up
Compounding the penalty, crew chief Stephen Doran has been ejected for the entire Kansas weekend. In his absence, the team’s engineer, Chaise Eliason, will step in as acting crew chief, tasked with providing leadership and guidance to Shane van Gisbergen throughout the event.
“Shane van Gisbergen engineer Chais Eliason will be acting crew chief for SVG at Kansas after the ejection of crew chief Stephen Doran for unapproved adjustments prior to practice. https://t.co/Y4wketFQA0” — Bob Pockrass, Journalist
Consequences for Van Gisbergen and Other Drivers
Shane van Gisbergen originally qualified 24th but now must start at the back. Similarly, Michael McDowell, who had qualified 21st, will also be sent to the rear of the field and face a stop-and-go penalty. The penalties follow a difficult precedent and add a layer of complexity for the affected teams. To manage without Doran, van Gisbergen’s trusted engineer, Chaise Eliason, will temporarily take on crew chief duties and help navigate these challenges for the Kiwi driver, who has had promising runs this season.
Recent Performance and the Road Ahead
Despite the setback, van Gisbergen’s recent results have provided some encouragement. Earlier this year, he finished 20th at Kansas and improved to 14th at Richmond. His last top-20 finish on an oval occurred at Daytona. Replicating those outcomes at Kansas will now require overcoming considerable adversity, given the combined impact of penalties and leadership changes. Michael McDowell’s team also faces similar challenges, sharing the burden as both look to move up from the back.
The 71 team joins van Gisbergen’s crew in serving stop-and-go penalties, a significant obstacle on an already competitive race weekend. Although multiple crews are affected, each must chart their own path forward.
NASCAR’s Penalty Reflects Emphasis on Fair Play
NASCAR’s enforcement of penalties underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field and adherence to technical regulations. As recent infractions show, even top-tier teams like TrackHouse Racing and drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen cannot afford to overlook rule compliance.
Looking for a Silver Lining Amidst Difficulties
While the penalties are severe, they also test the resilience and depth of TrackHouse Racing. The temporary promotion of Chaise Eliason to acting crew chief and coordinated efforts in the garage will be crucial, as the team aims to minimize the impact during race day in Kansas. The outcome of this weekend could influence team strategies moving forward and may also serve as a cautionary example for others on the risks of technical infractions in the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series.
Shane van Gisbergen engineer Chais Eliason will be acting crew chief for SVG at Kansas after the ejection of crew chief Stephen Doran for unapproved adjustments prior to practice. https://t.co/Y4wketFQA0
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 28, 2025
