Shane van Gisbergen delivered a standout performance in his debut full NASCAR Cup Series season, capturing the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and securing a playoff position in 2025. This Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR review highlights his rapid rise, game-changing wins, and the growing impact of his presence on Trackhouse Racing and the broader Cup Series.
Securing a Place in the Playoffs and Rookie Honors
Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing under crew chief Stephen Doran, van Gisbergen concluded his first full Cup Series campaign ranked 12th in the final standings. His resume boasts five race victories, all on road courses, complemented by five top-five finishes, seven top-ten results, and a career tally of 312 laps led. His dominance on road courses earned him a comfortable playoff berth and runaway Rookie of the Year recognition.
Although his championship aspirations ended after the Round of 16, van Gisbergen finished strong. He sealed his postseason with a win at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval and steadily improved his performance on oval tracks, notching his first oval top-10 at Kansas Speedway in September. Each improvement underscored his adaptability and rising consistency throughout the second half of the season.
Race Wins and Standout Performances
Van Gisbergen’s winning streak began with the Cup Series’ inaugural event in Mexico City, which set the tone for his exceptional season. He earned the pole in qualifying, then overcame a stomach illness to control the race, leading 60 out of 100 laps; his dominance was highlighted by a 16.567-second winning margin—the largest in Cup Series competition in over 15 years.
He continued his charge with victories by double-digit second margins at Watkins Glen International and during the Roval race. Van Gisbergen also returned to the Chicago Street Race, claiming his second win in three efforts, and followed up with a Sonoma Raceway victory, leading 97 of 110 laps. Within the six scheduled road-course events, he started from the front row five times, with his only outlier being a sixth-place start and finish at Circuit of The Americas.
Historic Achievements and Notable Milestones
One of the key highlights in van Gisbergen’s rookie campaign was the speed with which he tallied his fifth Cup Series win. His Watkins Glen triumph in August, achieved in just his 38th career start, made him the fastest driver to reach five wins since Dan Gurney did so in just 13 starts back in 1968. This rapid success positioned him alongside some of the sport’s legendary road-racing talents.
Personal Reflections on a Split-Season Performance
Van Gisbergen described his year as transformative, marked by early lessons and late-season momentum.
“It was kind of a season of two halves, it felt like. The first half was a lot of learning, but since Mexico, when we won our first race, it’s all kind of clicked, and you get that confidence and momentum, you know, and it’s just kind of built from Mexico. Yeah, the second half of the season’s made it pretty easy to forget about the first half.”
— Van Gisbergen, who was 33rd in Cup Series points before his Mexico win in mid-June turned his season around.
Setting the Stage for the Future
Looking forward, van Gisbergen and his Trackhouse Racing team anticipate a stable offseason, maintaining their current crew and operations. The 36-year-old New Zealander secured his future with a multiyear contract extension announced on August 8, ensuring continued collaboration with Trackhouse Racing. The most notable shift will be his switch from the No. 88 car to the No. 97 for the 2026 season, as incoming rookie Connor Zilisch takes over the former. The No. 97 carries special significance for van Gisbergen, resonating with his Supercars career and family tradition.
With a foundation of confidence, a proven team structure, and momentum from a historic rookie season, Shane van Gisbergen stands poised to build on his NASCAR success in the coming years, signaling a promising future for one of racing’s most dynamic new faces.
