Shane van Gisbergen achieved a major milestone for international drivers by winning the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at the Charlotte Roval on Sunday, making him the first non-U.S.-born competitor to claim 10 combined victories across NASCAR’s three top divisions. The New Zealand native’s triumph adds to his remarkable season, fueling excitement around the Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR history that continues to grow with each race.
Van Gisbergen’s Record-Breaking NASCAR Journey
With his sixth Cup Series victory at Charlotte, van Gisbergen now boasts five Cup wins this season alone—a mark achieved only by himself and Denny Hamlin in the current field. His accomplishments extend beyond the Cup Series, including four wins in the Xfinity Series, highlighting his adaptability across NASCAR’s varied national tour formats. Van Gisbergen also made an appearance in the Truck Series, where he finished 18th in his sole race entry.
This historical achievement, as noted by Seth Eggert of Kickin’ the Tires, sets van Gisbergen apart from other drivers by underscoring his unique international presence and exceptional success rate within NASCAR’s elite tiers.
Challenging Battles Amid Championship Pressure
Reflecting on the intensity of competition at Charlotte, van Gisbergen shared insights from his post-race press conference as he discussed facing off against Kyle Larson and the demanding nature of the playoff race.
Yeah, I always enjoy a battle, but you also want to win by half a minute as well, you know, but yeah, I was having fun in that battle,
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Especially, it was frustrating at the start of the last stage when they passed me, but it’s still enjoyable. Then, trying to understand how to be better, and I was trying to study them, see what they were doing better to me, so yeah, battling like that is a lot of fun, but you also want to win easily too.
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
These comments illustrate his competitive spirit and determination to constantly learn for better results. His growth as a driver has been evident, especially as he transitioned from initial difficulties on oval tracks to achieving a tenth-place finish at Kansas last week, further expanding his strengths beyond road courses.
Continuous Learning Shapes Van Gisbergen’s Strategy
Van Gisbergen emphasized the ongoing learning curve of competing in NASCAR, recognizing that each event offers new lessons, even on familiar layouts.
I feel like every race weekend I’m learning something. Even on a road course. These next few weeks are a contrast of tracks,
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
He pointed to the diverse nature of upcoming venues, requiring rapid adaptation and mastery of a range of track types.
That’s the hard part, where you’ve got to transition from the mile and a half to the short track or superspeedway. It’s going to be a pretty crazy finish to the year. But, yeah, I need to be better at all disciplines of what NASCAR Cup racing is. That will help us do better in the playoffs next year.
— Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
With major races ahead, van Gisbergen remains focused on building his versatility—a key trait for success in the demanding world of NASCAR.
What This Victory Means for International Drivers in NASCAR
Shane van Gisbergen’s performance has energized the international racing community, signaling that drivers from outside the United States can thrive in the NASCAR Cup Series. His historic accomplishment at Charlotte Roval not only elevates his personal legacy but also sets a precedent for others seeking success on America’s biggest stock car stages. As the season continues, all eyes will be on van Gisbergen to see how his adaptability and persistent growth can help shape both the playoffs and the future of international participation in NASCAR competition.
With his 6th career @NASCAR Cup Series win today Shane van Gisbergen is the FIRST internationally born driver to earn 10 combined wins across NASCAR's 3 National Touring Series.#NASCAR | #BofAROVAL | #NASCARPlayoffs | @jeff_gluck | #SuperCars | #RepcoSC pic.twitter.com/lOYGQuFUWO
— Seth Eggert (@SethEggert91) October 5, 2025
