Shane van Gisbergen’s debut season in NASCAR has brought him into the spotlight, especially for his unique perspective on Shane van Gisbergen oval racing. Despite not clinching top finishes on oval circuits in 2025, his frank observations and recent comments have illuminated the intense challenges these tracks present. As the only rookie making the playoffs, Gisbergen has garnered attention with his candor and unyielding drive to master oval racing’s most demanding aspects.
Gisbergen’s First NASCAR Season Exemplifies Road Course Success and Oval Learning Curves
Entering the 2025 NASCAR season as a rookie, Shane van Gisbergen swiftly demonstrated his skill, particularly on road course tracks. The New Zealand driver secured five victories in his debut year, all of them on road circuits, showcasing the agility and racecraft honed through years of Supercars competition. His stellar performances earned him the coveted rookie of the year title, marking him as one of the most promising additions to the field.
However, the transition to oval racing proved more challenging. Gisbergen’s highest result on an oval came at Kansas Speedway in September, where he finished 10th. Hopes for a better result at Las Vegas were dashed by a late-race crash involving multiple cars, cutting short a potential top-five run. While Van Gisbergen clearly excels on street and road courses, his adaptation to the intricacies of oval circuits has been a work in progress, with tight short tracks in particular posing a significant hurdle.
The Gravity-Defying Feeling of Racing at High Speeds on Ovals
Gisbergen recently turned to social media to describe what stands out as the most mind-bending aspect of oval racing. Accustomed to European and Australian circuits, the sensation of pushing a car at speeds exceeding 310 km/h (190 mph) while intentionally missing the corner apex—hoping for a barely perceptible “grip strip” or air cushion to keep him from colliding with the wall—remains unimaginable for the experienced road course racer.
He further explained that hearing the exhaust roar echoing off the concrete alongside his car as he skirted disaster at these tremendous speeds contributed to what he sees as the undeniable wildness of oval racing. These moments, he suggested, are where the differences between road and oval racing are most stark. With three world championships under his belt from Supercars competition, Gisbergen acknowledges that adapting to these elements is vital for improving his oval results in future seasons.
“Still one of the craziest parts of oval racing to me, 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, @shanevg97.
Talladega Superspeedway: The Ultimate Trial by Fire
This year, Gisbergen stood out as the only first-year driver to make the playoffs, advancing to the round of 16—a feat that impressed many in the sport. Yet, as the season progressed, his struggles with oval courses persisted. The upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway, known for its breathtaking speeds and unique demands, was described by Gisbergen as perhaps the most daunting event on the NASCAR calendar for him and his team.
He expressed his awe at the experience of racing at Talladega, where 40 cars thunder around the track at over 320 km/h in a tightly packed formation. For a driver used to the margins of road racing, the difference was profound. The intensity, unpredictability, and proximity of the racing at the Alabama superspeedway presented a fresh kind of challenge. Still, Gisbergen made it clear that despite these hurdles, he is determined to improve and deliver stronger performances as he gains more experience on NASCAR’s iconic ovals.
“It’s crazy and very different than a traditional oval, 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, as reported by motorsport.com.
Looking Forward: SVG’s Aspirations and the Road Ahead
With the 2025 NASCAR season drawing to a close and the Championship-4 showdown at Phoenix on the horizon, Van Gisbergen remains out of contention for the series crown. Despite this, his rookie achievements—including multiple road course wins, rookie of the year honors, and a playoff appearance—solidify his reputation as a formidable competitor.
The combination of on-track experience and honest self-assessment displayed by Gisbergen points toward greater success on ovals in seasons to come. The Kiwi’s willingness to confront the psychological and physical toll of high-speed oval racing—while publicly sharing both the thrills and traumas of adaptation—has resonated with fans and fellow drivers alike. As he prepares for his sophomore season, expectations are high that he will close the skill gap and challenge NASCAR’s established veterans not only on road courses but around the twisting banks and treacherous walls of America’s storied ovals.
Shane van Gisbergen’s journey in NASCAR remains a testament to the steep learning curve of oval racing, the global exchange of motorsport talent, and the relentless drive of a champion intent on conquering every facet of American stock car competition.
Still one of the craziest parts of oval racing to me. 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🤯 https://t.co/CYDdXBfiL9
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) October 15, 2025
