Shane van Gisbergen, entering the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing, brings optimism after his strong debut, including a Playoff appearance and the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award. Focusing on building his NASCAR progress, the New Zealander hopes to translate his road course dominance into stronger performances on oval tracks.
Adapting to Oval Racing After Supercars Success
After three Supercars championships in Australia, Shane van Gisbergen faced a learning curve as he took on the unique challenges of NASCAR’s oval tracks. In 2025, he collected five wins—second only to Denny Hamlin—but each came on road courses, where his prior experience shone. While making his Playoff debut was a milestone, van Gisbergen recognizes that excelling on ovals is key for further success.
So far, his top performance on an oval track was a tenth-place finish at Kansas last September, showing flashes of potential amid continued adaptation. Recently, he delivered a promising run at the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, indicating progress in adjusting to the American racing style and environment.
Developing a Unique Approach to NASCAR
Van Gisbergen, now driving the iconic No. 97 Chevrolet for Trackhouse, brings a personalized driving philosophy shaped by his diverse motorsport background.
“You just learn what you want and need from a car,”
said Shane van Gisbergen, marking a clear distinction between his approach and those of many NASCAR veterans.
Reflecting on his style, he elaborates:
“My driving style was very different to most, I guess. The way I make the car work or want it to work is very different to others.”
– Shane van Gisbergen
This distinct approach has required a period of adjustment, not just for van Gisbergen, but for his crew and team as well. He notes:
“We noticed a lot of trends which took a while to get everyone to adjust to. I adjusted a bit, but now we’re sort of coming my way a bit, which has kind of helped me. It’s interesting. The cars are set up so different to what I’m used to, and I’m still trying to understand what I need or want from the car.”
– Shane van Gisbergen
Tackling the Big NASCAR Ovals
Adapting to the fast-paced world of NASCAR’s famed ovals—Daytona and Talladega among them—presents its own set of hurdles. Although van Gisbergen enjoys the adrenaline and style of superspeedway racing, he acknowledges that these tracks require entirely new strategies and skills.
“I’m still learning and trying to make friends, I guess. People leave you for no reason, or you do something wrong and lose the trust of people. It takes a while to understand how to put your car in the right place.”
– Shane van Gisbergen
Van Gisbergen explains that while he has significant influence over car setup on road courses, he’s still in the learning phase on ovals, working on building a strong knowledge base by observing experienced drivers and adjusting to the intricacies of pack racing.
Gaining Experience and Building Confidence
Experience is proving to be his main teacher, as van Gisbergen aims to absorb as much as possible from every race, every lap, and every driver around him. He shares:
“In these races it’s about trying to understand the flow of the race, how to work with people. It’s a completely different style of racing—that’s for sure.”
– Shane van Gisbergen
As the season progresses, van Gisbergen remains energized, driven by competitive passion and a belief that ongoing adaptation will pay off. His intense efforts continue, as he works to bridge the gap between his established road course expertise and the demanding world of oval racing.
What Lies Ahead for Van Gisbergen and Trackhouse Racing
With a full NASCAR Cup Series season behind him and his Playoff debut already achieved, Shane van Gisbergen’s focus is locked on improving his oval racing record. His passion and energy show through as he navigates the steep learning curve, and his progress will be watched closely—not just by fellow racers like Denny Hamlin and fans of Trackhouse Racing, but by the broader NASCAR community eager to see which international star might conquer the American oval tracks next. As he brings his signature determination into the 2026 campaign, van Gisbergen’s quest to master NASCAR’s unique challenges continues, shaping his journey as a contender in one of motorsport’s toughest environments.
