Shane van Gisbergen oval progress took center stage at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, as the New Zealander, long regarded for his dominance on road courses, earned his first top-10 finish on an oval. With this breakthrough, van Gisbergen demonstrated adaptability and resilience, signaling a shift that could impact his NASCAR Cup Series trajectory.
Van Gisbergen’s Growth at Kansas Highlights New Potential
Throughout this NASCAR Cup season, van Gisbergen has consistently dazzled fans and competitors alike on road and street tracks, but his performances on ovals had been a weak spot. While his four victories this season all came away from the traditional oval circuits, rivals have been keenly watching to see if he could translate his skills to NASCAR’s heartland. One rival captured the anticipation, stating,
“If he ever figures out ovals, we are gonna be in trouble!”
— Drivers.
At Kansas, that possibility became more tangible. Despite an early setback—a stop-and-go penalty for inspection issues and the absence of crew chief Stephen Doran—van Gisbergen overcame a near lap-down start, perseverance on display from the outset. Managing to recover from these challenges, he worked his way forward after a timely yellow flag on lap 90, which allowed him to restart deep in the field but within reach of the leaders.
Resilience and Recovery Fuel a Standout Oval Performance
Progressing through the race, van Gisbergen quietly began to move up the rankings. He advanced into the top 20 during Stage 2, ultimately placing himself within striking distance of a career milestone as he continued to make rapid gains. In the final stage, he solidified a spot in the top 15 and pushed forward, undeterred by contact with Alex Bowman.
With just ten laps remaining, the Trackhouse driver was running as high as eighth, maintaining focus through the intensity of an overtime restart to secure that elusive top-10 finish. Expressing his excitement, van Gisbergen said,
“It was really cool to get a top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway,”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver. He added,
“I feel like we’re getting better and better at these tracks. It was difficult starting a lap down and having that penalty, but (interim crew chief) Chais Eliason did a great job.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver. Continuing his optimism post-race, van Gisbergen remarked,
“We had really good speed at points of the race, so I’m stoked to get a top-10. I’m over the moon with that,”
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver.
Momentum Building as Playoff Lessons Shape the Future
The program’s steady improvement was apparent as van Gisbergen finished 14th at Richmond and briefly broke into the top five at New Hampshire before a crash disrupted his run. Each outing on an oval has offered valuable lessons, fueling his determination to return in stronger form. Despite being eliminated in the Round of 16, his sights are firmly set on continued gains with the support of his team, including crew members like Chais Eliason and, when possible, Stephen Doran.
Candidates for the next Cup campaign will now be watching van Gisbergen’s evolving strengths closely. His improvement has shifted perceptions, hinting that NASCAR could soon feature a driver who is as formidable on traditional ovals as on the tracks where he first made his mark. For van Gisbergen, every lap is turning doubt into anticipation, as he works to become a more complete competitor in the series.
With a 10th place finish at Kansas today, SVG recorded his 10th Cup Series Top 10 and his FIRST on an oval! pic.twitter.com/RndXhXIyOE
— Daniel Céspedes (@_DanielCespedes) September 28, 2025
