SHANE van Gisbergen has a new lease on life as he approaches the first Playoff run of his NASCAR Cup Series career.
With 21 races in the books from the scheduled 36 points-paying events for 2025, the Kiwi is continuing his adjustment to life Stateside, having locked in three wins to date in his rookie season.
While he remains equal third for the year in terms of Playoff points, opportunities abound to collect further bonus points ahead of the postseason.
This weekend, the Cup Series returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400, the same venue he finished a flying fourth last year in the Xfinity Series.
In terms of ovals, strategically, Indianapolis races more like a road course, with teams able to flip stages, with the track’s low banking also often playing into the hands of noted road racers.
Following a stop at Iowa’s short oval, the Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen International on August 10th, the track SVG finished second at last year after being pipped by Chris Buescher on the final circuit.
Rounding out the regular season is another short oval at Richmond, before the wildcard race at Daytona International Speedway, a venue where results are wide open for the taking.
For van Gisbergen, the busy schedule is keeping him on his toes.
“It’s an intense calendar and the schedule is crazy!” Said van Gisbergen.
“The prep that we do every week is so intense.
“Every week, there is something to do, something to learn, something to improve, simulator and prep time.
“It fills my days up pretty quick, but I love this sport, I’m really enjoying myself, and I’m really loving all the new challenges.
“Every single week, it’s something different. It’s been a really fun journey so far.
“We are continuing to build and keep the momentum going in the right direction.
“There are a few weeks to go until the playoffs, so I need to keep learning and getting better on certain tracks, and then hopefully we will have a good chance once (the playoffs) start.”
In addition to his Cup Series commitments, van Gisbergen is also slated to make one further Xfinity Series start for JR Motorsports at Watkins Glen.
IN-CAR: V8 Torana pounds around in TCM in Darwin
Jump on board with Tony Edwards in his Holden Torana SLR/5000 Touring Car Masters car at Hidden Valley in Darwin in 2012. Sit back and enjoy the V8 muscle!