Chase Elliott openly commended Shane van Gisbergen for his recent dominance on NASCAR’s road courses, acknowledging the New Zealander’s remarkable performances this Cup Series season and reflecting on how van Gisbergen has shifted the competitive landscape. With the Chase Elliott NASCAR road course reputation long-established, the emergence of van Gisbergen has introduced a new standard that other drivers are striving to match.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Exceptional Results on Road Courses
Shane van Gisbergen, driving for Trackhouse Racing, has captured victory in four of the first five NASCAR Cup Series road course events this year, placing sixth in his only non-winning start. His triumphs in Mexico City, Chicago’s street race, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen showcase his quick adaptation and skill on challenging layouts. As this Sunday’s race at the Charlotte Roval approaches, van Gisbergen has a strong opportunity to extend his record, beginning from the outside pole.
Before van Gisbergen arrived and made an impact, Elliott was widely viewed as one of the elite drivers on NASCAR’s road courses. However, van Gisbergen’s consistent wins have shifted attention and accolades his way.
“There’s no question he’s done a fantastic job,”
said Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver, addressing reporters at the Roval.
Elliott Recognizes the Challenge and Celebrates Excellence
Elliott made it clear he values high performance and admires van Gisbergen’s achievements.
“I’ve always tried to give him the credit that I think he deserves for the discipline and how good he is at it, and I think that should be celebrated,”
said Elliott, emphasizing his respect for van Gisbergen’s expertise and discipline.
He continued expressing admiration for those who are at the top of their field:
“I’ve always been a fan of if a guy’s dominating something, so what? Writers and fans should celebrate that, and then us as competitors should figure out how can we make ourselves better to try and recapture where the bar has been set.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Career Backgrounds Contributing to Success
Van Gisbergen’s strong background in the Australian V8 Super Car Series, where he secured three championships, has proven instrumental in his success on NASCAR’s road courses. The experience he gathered on similar tracks in Australia allowed him a smoother transition to North American racing. Elliott highlighted this as a significant factor:
“There are some similarities that I think that have helped him make that transition into these cars,”
Elliott said, attributing van Gisbergen’s readiness to his time abroad.
But SVG’s adaptability does not end at the familiar. As Elliott noted:
“But then you look at his Xfinity success on that side, he’s also very good in those cars, and that’s nothing like he came from. That’s why I say, he’s a great talent and we shouldn’t take that away, either.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Learning Ovals: Van Gisbergen’s Ongoing Progress
While van Gisbergen’s performance on road courses has been stellar, he has faced a steeper learning curve on American oval tracks. His tenth-place finish at Kansas last Sunday marked his best result yet on a Cup oval, suggesting his progress and potential for further improvement. Reflecting on this evolution, Elliott acknowledged the changing competitive environment:
“He has certainly raised the bar in a lot of ways on the road courses,”
Elliott said.
He continued,
“Why is that? He’s a great talent, no question. He has a number of years of experience driving cars very similar to this. So, I think you just give credit where it’s due, and I think he’s a good racer. He’s always raced me with a lot of respect, and from my perspective, I just want to get better and try to put myself and our team in the ballpark to go up there and run with it.”
—Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Previous Performances and Expectations at the Charlotte Roval
As the Cup Series heads to the Charlotte Roval, the past results of both drivers set the stage for high anticipation. Elliott has a strong record at this track, with two wins, three top-five finishes, and five top tens in seven starts. Van Gisbergen, meanwhile, has started only once on this track, taking a respectable seventh place last year. How they approach the unique combination of infield and high-banked corners this Sunday will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
The emergence of Shane van Gisbergen as a road course powerhouse has not only elevated the intensity of NASCAR’s Cup Series but also inspired drivers like Chase Elliott to reassess strategies and adapt. As competition grows fiercer and new benchmarks are set, both veterans and newcomers are prompted to innovate, ensuring the ongoing evolution of skill and excitement on NASCAR’s varied circuits.
