Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR adaptation has brought unique hurdles and notable progress in his first full-time Cup Series season, as the three-time Supercars champion encounters drastic differences between oval tracks and his previous racing experiences. Nearing the close of the season, van Gisbergen reflects on his learning curve and the surprising challenges he has faced across iconic circuits such as Talladega, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and others.
Adapting to Oval Racing: A Rookie’s Reality
Entering 2025 with an impressive record in Supercars, van Gisbergen quickly realized that transitioning to NASCAR’s oval racing demanded new skills and approaches. Despite an initial stretch of difficult results, including five finishes outside the top 30 in his first six oval events, he showed improvement by earning his first oval stage points and claiming his inaugural top-ten finish on an oval in the NASCAR Cup Series. Currently, he holds 12th place in the championship standings, demonstrating steady acclimatization as the season advances.
Pushing Limits at Iconic Tracks
Throughout his rookie campaign, SVG has revisited several circuits, including Talladega, Martinsville, and Phoenix, for the final three races of the year. On social media, van Gisbergen shared his astonishment at the demands of racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, particularly the high speeds and minimal margins for error near the outside wall.
“Still one of the craziest parts of oval racing to me,”
said van Gisbergen, reacting to a thrilling clip of his car running inches from the barrier at high velocity.
“Send it in at 310kph/190mph, missing apex on purpose, heading to the wall hoping an imaginary grip strip/air pocket is going to save you from hitting it, then hearing the exhaust echo on the wall as it holds you off it. Wild!”
— Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Talladega: NASCAR’s Superspeedway Challenge
This weekend presents a fresh test for van Gisbergen at Talladega, known for its fast drafting and close-pack racing dynamics. As the largest oval on the schedule, Talladega stands out for its intense speeds and the massive fields that characterize the event.
“It’s crazy and very different than a traditional oval,”
said SVG in the team’s advance.
“We are doing 320 kilometers in a pack of 40 cars. It’s amazing how fast we are going, all squeezed together. Talladega is one of the most difficult races that we do. Hopefully this weekend we can prove that we are getting better at that (superspeedway racing) too and get a good result.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Despite never finishing higher than 15th at Talladega, with that best result coming with Kaulig Racing last year, van Gisbergen remains optimistic about his chances as he continues to adapt.
Finding the Edge Across Varied Circuits
Looking forward, van Gisbergen embraces the diversity and complexity each track offers, emphasizing the unique characteristics that make every circuit a learning experience. He notes how intermediate tracks, while visually similar on paper, present diverse handling challenges in practice. His attitude highlights the relentless pursuit of improvement and mastery within the competitive landscape of NASCAR.
“I like the challenge of all of them. I like how different they all are. The intermediates, they look the same shape on paper, but when you go there, they all drive so differently. I really like the challenge of finding all the little integrities on the track and what makes the cars work.”
— Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
The Road Ahead for SVG in NASCAR
With the season’s final races still to come at tracks he has now revisited, Shane van Gisbergen’s trajectory in the NASCAR Cup Series demonstrates both the steep learning demands of oval racing and the drive required to excel on American circuits. His adaptation is being closely watched by fans and competitors, as he sets his sights on further improvements and a stronger finish to his rookie campaign.
