Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway ended in disappointment after a major crash with just over 20 laps to go, despite his strong performance and a special New Zealand-themed paint scheme. The incident abruptly stopped what could have been the Kiwi driver’s best showing yet on an oval track, leaving both fans and his Trackhouse Racing team reflecting on what might have been.
Van Gisbergen Impresses Early With Steady Progress
Since joining the Cup Series, Shane van Gisbergen, often called SVG, has adapted quickly to oval racing. Recently, he scored his first stage points in an oval event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and followed that up in Kansas with his first top ten finish. On the road and street courses, SVG has been dominant, securing his fifth career win at the Charlotte Roval before the series returned to ovals for the Las Vegas round.
At Las Vegas, SVG drove a car draped in silver fern designs and other tributes to New Zealand, starting 13th on the grid. He managed to out-qualify his Trackhouse Racing teammates and consistently ran in the lead half of the pack, finishing 12th in Stage 1 and 11th in Stage 3. By late in the race, he was poised for a top-15 finish and perhaps his best oval result yet.
Massive Crash Shatters Hopes for Career Milestone
The race took a dramatic turn following a severe crash by William Byron, with just over 30 laps remaining. This incident set up a wave of pit strategies, and No. 88 crew chief Stephen Doran chose to take only two right-side tires for SVG, launching him into sixth place for the critical restart. The tightly compacted field rapidly spread out three-wide. Ty Gibbs attempted to slot in between Alex Bowman and Christopher Bell, just as Bell moved to the inside of SVG’s car. The close quarters left no margin for error as Bell clipped both Gibbs’ No. 54 and van Gisbergen’s No. 88, igniting a chain reaction.
SVG spun across the track and was struck by Austin Dillon and then by his team’s own Ross Chastain, with both unable to avoid the chaos. Carson Hocevar became another casualty as SVG’s car careened back into the racing line. The major collision brought SVG’s promising run to an abrupt halt, forcing him to retire on lap 245 of 267 and accept a 33rd-place finish.
My 88 Jockey Chevy was so good there at the start, then towards the end it was a bit tight but we were still in a position to get a good finish. Wish our result would’ve shown the race we had. Proud of my 88 team for bringing another rocket ship.
– Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Wreck Involves Key Drivers and Impacts Standings
The multi-car crash was one of the largest in Las Vegas Cup Series history, according to NASCAR officials. In addition to Van Gisbergen, drivers involved included Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, Carson Hocevar, Cody Ware, Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, and A.J. Allmendinger. The incident not only ended SVG’s day but significantly affected other contenders like his Trackhouse teammate Chastain and young talents Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs.
Elsewhere in the race, William Byron escaped injury after his own hard wreck earlier, while Ryan Blaney saw his title ambitions take a hit after another crash left him with a last-place result. Denny Hamlin, another key figure in the series, celebrated his 60th Cup win in an emotional and hard-fought drive. These developments came on a day already filled with unpredictability and high stakes.
Aftermath and What Comes Next for SVG
For Shane van Gisbergen, the crash marked a sudden and frustrating halt in a NASCAR season defined by rapid progression and flashes of brilliance. The driver’s comments emphasized his gratitude to the No. 88 team for competitive equipment, and many in the paddock noted his ongoing growth in oval racing with each event. Fans and competitors alike will watch with interest as SVG regroups and prepares for future Cup Series races, continuing to adapt and challenge established drivers on a variety of tracks.
The Las Vegas incident underscored how quickly fortunes can change in NASCAR, especially for rising stars like SVG. As the season continues, all eyes will be on Van Gisbergen and his Trackhouse Racing crew as they aim to convert their promise into standout results on both ovals and road courses.
