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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Harrison Burton, driver of the #25 AirBox Ford, Christian Eckes, driver of the #16 Celsius Chevrolet, and Nick Sanchez, driver of the #48 Borchetta Bourbon Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Kansas Speedway proved to be one more test of the candidates for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series final, and many drivers shared their thoughts on how they fared after the race on Sunday.
It marked some (small) redemption to some, but a wake-up call that minor problems can get out of control to major problems in some situations. It was a strategy, concentration, and collaboration over the weekend to be all over cracking a lash to sustaining the body balance of the car.
With the NASCAR playoffs already boiling up, drivers are already projecting into the Charlotte Roval at this time, hoping that whatever was learned in Kansas will serve as an enhancement to better finishes and points.
Shane van Gisbergen reflects upon a top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway
Shane van Gisbergen, who came in 10th, was very excited with his performance.
“It was really cool to get a top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway. I feel like we’re getting better and better at these tracks. It was difficult starting a lap down and having that penalty, but interim crew chief Chais Eliason did a great job. We had really good speed at points of the race, so I’m stoked to get a top-10. I’m over the moon with that.”
Nevertheless, Shane van Gisbergen managed to find the rhythm early enough, and the setback was minor since his team managed to climb back into the competition and show some empirical actions during the course of the stages.
It was demonstrated in Shane van Gisbergen’s play that resilience and teamwork manifest themselves during the circumstances of receiving penalties in the race.
Ross Chastain on Struggles with Car Balance During the Race
Ross Chastain, who ended the race in 11th place, described a more frustrating experience.
“We fought around 10th place all day. I thought our No. 1 Chevrolet showed signs of brilliance at the beginning and at the end of Stage 1. I thought we were really strong, and then I just never had that feeling again. We just couldn’t get the balance right and the grip to go with it. We’ll regroup and get ready for the Charlotte Roval next weekend.”
Ross Chastain’s reflection highlights the fine margins in NASCAR racing, where car setup and track conditions can shift competitiveness in moments. Ross Chastain remains determined to adjust and improve for the next race.
Ty Dillon Proud of Team’s NASCAR Clean Performance at Kansas
Ty Dillon, finishing 13th, focused on the team’s perseverance.
“I’m proud of the performance of our team. We’ve been in a hole for a couple of weeks, and we chopped away at it all day. It’s probably the first clean race we’ve had in three or four weeks without any of us making mistakes. I think that just proves how we can run, and hopefully that carries the momentum through the end of the year. Proud of our effort. Our car was solid, and we executed in all phases. So, now we’ll move on to the Roval.”
Ty Dillon’s remarks underline how execution, patience, and teamwork can provide solid results even when the outcome isn’t a podium finish. His confidence in the team’s process sets the tone for their NASCAR playoff push.
Kyle Busch Looks Ahead After Challenging 19th-Place Finish
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Chevrolet team faced a tough afternoon, finishing 19th.
“The entire No. 8 Chevrolet team worked throughout the race to make adjustments to make us competitive today. We made forward progress, but it just wasn’t enough to get us where we needed to be to contend for a victory this afternoon at Kansas Speedway. This race is in the books, and our attention is now on securing that first win of the season next weekend at the Charlotte Roval.”
For Kyle Busch, incremental improvements matter as much as wins, and he’s counting on lessons learned at Kansas to fuel a stronger run in the next NASCAR race.
In general, the Kansas Speedway race revealed the issues and uncertainty of NASCAR. Drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen and Ty Dillon were resilient and team players. Ross Chastain began examining opportunities that went by their way, and Kyle Busch is concentrating on what they need to do next.
With the series heading to the Charlotte Roval, the lessons learned in Kansas will be very instrumental in determining the strategies and a possible outcome of the playoffs.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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