Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR success reached a new milestone as he secured his first ever top-10 finish on an oval track, taking 10th place at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, September 28. The New Zealander, already renowned for his domination on road courses, demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly on ovals, marking a significant progression in his first full-time Cup campaign.
Anticipation has been building throughout the season as van Gisbergen continued to impress on road circuits. The question has always lingered: how would he fare once he figured out ovals? His determined drive at Kansas may signal the answer is near.
Navigating Challenges Early in the Race
Van Gisbergen’s achievement at Kansas was especially notable due to the adversity he overcame. He started the race facing a stop-and-go penalty on pit road, handed down for inspection infractions, and was without his crew chief, Stephen Doran. This setback pushed the No. 88 team a lap behind almost immediately, creating a steep hill to climb early in the contest.
After remaining stuck a lap down through the end of the opening stage, van Gisbergen caught a break on lap 90, receiving the “free pass” after a crash and restarting from 35th position. Drawing on his rugby background, he charged forward with determination, moving into the top 20 by the conclusion of stage two and taking the green and white checkered flag in 19th.
Strong Technique in the Final Stages
Methodical work in the final stage saw van Gisbergen continuously gaining ground. He advanced into the top 15, then into the top 10 as the race entered its closing laps. Despite a brush with Alex Bowman in turn 2 on lap 227, he held position inside the top 10, running as high as eighth when a late-race caution set the field up for an overtime finish.
During the overtime restart, van Gisbergen remained composed and crossed the line in 10th—his first oval top-10 and a testament to his growing prowess on NASCAR’s high-speed circuits. This accomplishment further solidifies his reputation as one of the sport’s quickest learners.
Recent Progress and Future Prospects
The Kansas result was not an isolated leap; the No. 88 team has shown consistent improvement on ovals in recent weeks. A 14th place at Richmond Raceway signaled momentum, and van Gisbergen reached the top five at New Hampshire Motor Speedway before misfortune struck. Though his playoff hopes ended after the Round of 16, the remainder of the season is now focused on continued development on oval tracks—a quest that could yield even greater results in 2026.
Underdog Stories Emerge Amid Late-Race Chaos
Kansas Speedway, often pigeonholed as a “cookie-cutter” track, proved anything but predictable during the final 15 laps. Disruptions gave underdogs rare opportunities to shine, notably for drivers and teams not typically seen at the front.
Todd Gilliland was among those who capitalized on the chaos. After a rough start, with stage finishes of 33rd and 29th and lingering a lap behind, Gilliland steadily improved. Receiving another free pass with 14 laps to go, he avoided late-race accidents and powered to a 12th-place finish, matching his best at the track. Gilliland now boasts back-to-back top 20s, a personal milestone not seen since earlier events at Kansas and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Holy smokes. We sucked all day but got a bit better for the end and came home p12.” — Todd Gilliland, Driver
Ty Dillon demonstrated resilience after starting outside the top 25 and dealing with car handling issues. Narrowly escaping a multi-car incident, Dillon climbed from an 18th-place position during the final overtime restart to 13th at the checkered flag, securing his best Kansas result and his first top 15 since July.
Michael McDowell, like van Gisbergen, started the race under penalty but orchestrated his own recovery. Following a sluggish opening and a 27th-place stage two result, adjustments enabled him to secure 14th place, marking his fourth straight top-20 finish and demonstrating consistent performance for Front Row Motorsports.
“P14. Road course on deck.” — Michael McDowell, Driver
Erik Jones also rebounded from adversity, receiving a penalty for an uncontrolled tire during pit stops which put him two laps down. Strategic wave-arounds and a well-timed tire change moved him back into contention, and he fought through the field to finish 16th, making the most of a challenging race.
From 2 laps down to P16, @Erik_Jones fought until the very end.” — LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
Other drivers like Justin Haley and Cole Custer joined the list of those who avoided major incidents and earned solid top-20 finishes, reinforcing Kansas’ status as a track where opportunities can emerge late for those who persevere.
Zane Smith’s Wild Crash Adds Drama
No underdog story at Kansas was more dramatic than that of Zane Smith. Confident that his team could contend for the top 10, he ran as high as eighth in the final stage. But a late scramble in overtime saw him outside the top 10 and in the path of calamity.
During the first overtime attempt, John Hunter Nemechek got loose, making contact with Smith’s car. Smith’s Ford was seen sliding on its left side and then barrel-rolling twice through turns 3 and 4 before coming to rest. The incident was another reminder of the unpredictable nature of racing at Kansas.
“[I’ve] never flipped a stock car,” — Zane Smith, Driver
“Zane Smith exited the vehicle under his own power after this incident late at @kansasspeedway. pic.twitter.com/vbF4OXvROl” — NASCAR
Smith was able to exit his vehicle under his own power, a relief to all and a demonstration of advancements in car safety. His team, Front Row Motorsports, commented on the collision.
“Got cleaned out by none other than JHN” — Front Row Motorsports
Ranking the Top Underdog Performers
Carson Hocevar showed early promise at Kansas and seemed poised for a strong finish, but late-race incidents relegated him to 29th. McDowell’s gritty recovery from penalty kept up the momentum for his team, earning second in underdog rankings.
Van Gisbergen’s historic first oval top 10 placed him third among underdogs, reinforcing his growing threat level for established teams as he vies for a fifth consecutive road course victory at the upcoming ROVAL event. Erik Jones’s comeback from a two-lap deficit secured him fourth in the rankings, while Zane Smith’s spectacular crash dropped him to fifth despite a promising run. Justin Haley, Noah Gragson, and Ty Dillon also earned honorable mentions for their performances.
Small Team Paint Scheme Shines at Kansas
Highlighting the diversity of the field, Todd Gilliland’s No. 34 Ford Mustang featured sponsorship by Dean’s Dip—Kansas’s own Guy’s Snacks Corporation is well-known for its potato chips, making the partnership thematically appropriate. Despite traditions associating green cars with poor luck, Gilliland’s drive to 12th place proved the opposite, further cementing his strong underdog performance.
“Toddfather back on the lead lap. Wanting that Top-10@deansdip pic.twitter.com/2AHRl87EMV” — Front Row Motorsports
Significance for Van Gisbergen and the NASCAR Field
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR success at Kansas encapsulates a pivotal moment in his rookie oval campaign, overcoming penalties and setbacks to secure a top-10 finish that signals his swift adaptation and potential future triumphs. For the broader NASCAR community, the Kansas event exemplified how unpredictable late-race developments can provide a stage for emerging talent and veteran underdogs alike.
Not only has van Gisbergen affirmed his rapid growth, but his progress alters the competitive landscape for upcoming seasons. If this trajectory continues, NASCAR’s traditional oval specialists may soon face an even more formidable competitor—one whose success on both road courses and ovals could reshape the sport’s hierarchy in the seasons to come.
Holy smokes. We sucked all day but got a bit better for the end and came home p12. https://t.co/mXarkWfKZR
— Todd Gilliland (@ToddGilliland_) September 28, 2025
P14. Road course on deck. pic.twitter.com/Mv9aQUSjKd
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) September 29, 2025
From 2 laps down to P16, @Erik_Jones fought until the very end. pic.twitter.com/mJSdL8E5Cx
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) September 28, 2025
Zane Smith exited the vehicle under his own power after this incident late at @kansasspeedway. pic.twitter.com/vbF4OXvROl
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 28, 2025
Got cleaned out by none other than JHN
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) September 28, 2025
Toddfather back on the lead lap. Wanting that Top-10@deansdip pic.twitter.com/2AHRl87EMV
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) September 28, 2025
