Shane van Gisbergen is set to make history at the Bank of America Roval 400 as he chases a road course streak that places him one step away from Jeff Gordon’s renowned record, making the Shane van Gisbergen road course streak a pivotal storyline of this NASCAR season. Racing for Trackhouse, van Gisbergen has claimed victory in the last four Cup Series road course events and could close in on Gordon’s six-win milestone with just one more triumph this weekend in Charlotte.
Impressive Start to Full-Time NASCAR Career
Already considered among the most formidable rookies the sport has seen, Shane van Gisbergen’s transition from three-time Supercars champion to full-time Cup Series driver has been met with exceptional results. After participating part-time for Kaulig Racing in the No. 16 car last season, he took charge of the No. 88 entry for Trackhouse Racing in 2025. The move has paid dividends: van Gisbergen has tallied four wins, secured three poles, and finished in the top 10 six times, with five of those strong results coming specifically on road courses.
Van Gisbergen’s stunning run began after he placed sixth at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), since which he has maintained an undefeated streak on road and street layouts. His command of technical and challenging tracks is underscored by his wins in major events in Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen, where his dominance has been evident.
Chasing Gordon’s Historic Record
Jeff Gordon remains a NASCAR icon due to his six consecutive road course victories earned between Watkins Glen in 1997 and Sonoma in 2000. Gordon’s tally of nine road course wins in only 47 starts is an enduring record, while active driver Chase Elliott is closest among current competitors with seven, including two at the Charlotte Roval.
In contrast, Shane van Gisbergen’s emerging strike rate is unmatched—with five wins in just 11 starts, he has taken more than half the available laps led during road course races this year. Notably, his wins in Mexico City and Watkins Glen came by margins of 16.5 seconds and 11.1 seconds, respectively, and his average road course finish this year stands at an astonishing 2.0.
Return to Charlotte Roval After Notable Progress
Van Gisbergen’s growth this season extends beyond road courses. At Kansas recently, he achieved his first top-10 finish on an oval, reaching the checkered flag in tenth, reflecting a growing comfort with the variety of tracks on the NASCAR circuit. Although no longer in playoff contention after being eliminated in the Round of 16, van Gisbergen is currently 14th in the standings with 2086 points, and remains within striking distance of 13th by season’s end.
This weekend, the action shifts back to the Charlotte Roval, a course featuring 109 laps on one of NASCAR’s most distinct layouts. Van Gisbergen earned the pole position there in 2024 and posted a seventh-place result. Now returning without playoff stress and as a clear favorite, he approaches the race in strong spirits. Following the Kansas race, he commented via Nikolai P. Culp:
“Yeah, good. And in a track I’ve been to before. I went well there last year. So yeah, hopefully a good weekend and try and help the one (Ross Chastain) this week and make sure he’s good to get through next weekend.”
– Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
High Stakes for Trackhouse and Playoff Contenders
Within Trackhouse Racing, attention is not only on van Gisbergen but also on teammate Ross Chastain, who faces elimination as he enters the event 13 points below the playoff cut line. Joey Logano sits exactly on the line, with Chase Briscoe 21 points ahead in seventh. Chastain’s historic average finish on the Roval stands at 24.0, indicating the challenge ahead for advancement.
A win by van Gisbergen—who is not in the current playoff hunt—has the potential to disrupt the postseason outlook, especially if Chastain fails to secure a critical performance. The weekend is thus pivotal, with every lap at the Roval carrying heavy implications for both the driver’s personal legacy and the fate of several teams as the playoffs progress.
Legacy and the Road Ahead
The Shane van Gisbergen road course streak has already set a new benchmark for rookie drivers in NASCAR, captivating fans and competitors alike. Another victory this Sunday would bring van Gisbergen within a single win of Jeff Gordon’s legendary run, solidifying his emergence as the modern ‘road course king’ and reshaping the hierarchy of Cup Series dominance on technical tracks. With all eyes on the No. 88 and the playoff field on the edge, NASCAR’s next road course chapter promises both high drama and historic potential.
