Shane van Gisbergen continued his upward momentum with his first top-10 finish in a NASCAR Cup Series oval race at Kansas, marking a pivotal moment in his adaptation to American stock car racing. His recent results highlight significant Shane van Gisbergen oval progress, reflecting the impact of targeted practice and steady improvement throughout the 2025 season.
Building Experience on Short Tracks and Legendary Circuits
Van Gisbergen has dedicated much of 2025 to mastering oval racing, not only by competing in NASCAR but also by spending time behind the wheel of Legend cars. Racing for Joe Ryan Racecars, he participated in the Cook Out Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway and notched his inaugural pavement oval victory in July. Each lap around these short tracks added crucial experience ahead of the larger Cup events.
From Strong Qualifying to Kansas Breakthrough
SVG’s learning curve became evident through improved performances: he secured an 11th-place starting spot at Indianapolis, took the pole position at North Wilkesboro, and lined up 10th at New Hampshire. The culmination came in Kansas, where starting deep in the field did not prevent him from charging to his first top-10 finish on an oval, illustrating the value of relentless effort and adaptation.
Overcoming Early Setbacks at Kansas
Despite a challenging start, van Gisbergen demonstrated resilience as the Trackhouse Racing driver faced several hurdles on race day. He was handed a stop-and-go pit road penalty for inspection issues and dealt with the absence of crew chief Stephen Doran—who was serving a suspension—which left the No. 88 Red Bull team scrambling early in the event. As a result, SVG lost a lap in the opening stage and had to patiently await opportunities to make up ground.
Capitalizing on Race Opportunities and Recovery
A crash on lap 90 provided the break van Gisbergen needed, granting him the free pass and allowing him to restart in 35th position. Undeterred, he fought forward, ending stage two in 19th. As the second half of the race unfolded, SVG methodically picked off competitors, eventually moving into the top 15 and then the top 10 as the laps dwindled.
Contact with William Byron led to an incident involving Alex Bowman, raising concerns about damage, but SVG pressed on, showcasing his determination. Running eighth with less than 10 laps to go, he restarted ninth following a late caution and ultimately finished 10th, holding off teammate Ross Chastain and earning his best NASCAR oval result to date.
SVG Reflects on Learning and Growth
After climbing out of the car, van Gisbergen offered a candid assessment of his oval racing journey:
“I think it’s a process. This shit’s pretty difficult, and I just uh it’s taken me time to get better and better, and yeah, the guys are doing a great job with the car, and um yeah, it was it was a tough one. We put ourselves two laps down with a penalty and had to come back, and yeah, it was a pretty awesome day,”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Reflecting on the race’s fast pace and his steadily improving confidence, he added:
“Well, we had speed. I still had a lot to learn, and I was trying to place my car in the right spots, and yeah, once we got on equal tires and equal lap to people, I was able to pick people off and move around, and I never had so much confidence to move around. So, it’s just a process of learning and yeah, I’m getting better.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
The Value of Persistence and Experience
The two years van Gisbergen has spent as a full-time Cup driver have posed steep challenges, from grasping the intricacies of vehicle dynamics to learning the nuances of each uniquely banked track. Kansas, in particular, tested his skills with its demanding speeds and tricky aerodynamics, but SVG embraced the learning process and signaled his enjoyment of the grind.
Recent races have showcased encouraging signs for the No. 88 Red Bull team. A 14th-place at Richmond hinted at progress, while a strong run at New Hampshire further proved his growing prowess until misfortune struck. Although his playoff hopes concluded in the Round of 16, SVG’s mission remains to leverage every race in the remainder of 2025 as another opportunity for growth.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for SVG
Van Gisbergen’s breakthrough top-10 at Kansas is a testament to his adaptability and perseverance, and it suggests that greater results may be on the horizon as he continues to close the learning gap on ovals. His progress throughout this season could signal stiffer competition for rivals in 2026, especially if the current trajectory continues. With focused effort and growing confidence, the sport may be witnessing the rise of a true oval contender in Shane van Gisbergen.
P10 at Kansas Speedway in our @redbullmotors #88! 😀 Was difficult starting a lap down, without our crew chief and having that penalty, but Chais our interim crew chief did a great job! We had really good speed in the race, so I’m stoked to get a top 10, thanks @TeamTrackhouse! pic.twitter.com/wFvqZhE5jp
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) September 29, 2025
Shane van Gisbergen on first oval Top 10:
"It's just a process of learning; I'm getting better"
Presenting partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/yi7l1cbWOl
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) September 28, 2025
