![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SI202603040025_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShane van Gisbergen in the #97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Image: Daylon Barr<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShane van Gisbergen in the #97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Image: Daylon Barr<\/p>\n
A hangover from the COVID-19 pandemic was keeping practice to a single 20-minute hit-out before going into qualifying.<\/p>\n
Even before moving into the NASCAR Cup Series, van Gisbergen was known for building into his Supercars weekends.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s almost impossible, according to Bell, who said the Trackhouse Racing driver is at an inherent disadvantage.<\/p>\n
However, recent results in and around the top 10 have Bell convinced it won\u2019t be long before van Gisbergen is a genuine front-runner on ovals.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe clearly has the skillset and is a top-level talent, and I think if you give him enough experience, he\u2019s going to figure out whatever type of racing he wants to figure out,\u201d said the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.<\/p>\n
\u201cFortunately for his competitors, and unfortunately for him, the format handicaps him tremendously.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he would have done this years ago when we had hours of practice and multiple sets of tyres for practice, I think he would have been a lot further along.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe format that we race under today with one set of tyres for a 20-minute practice session I think has taken him a little bit longer to develop the oval stuff, but he\u2019s clearly getting the hang of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not going to be long before he\u2019s a factor on an oval.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conversation of adding more practice is one that often rears its head, though there appears to be no serious interest from NASCAR in additional track time.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, van Gisbergen and any other graduates from lower rungs on the NASCAR ladder will have very little time to get up to speed.<\/p>\n
Bell said he was \u201cprobably indifferent\u201d about whether there should be more practice time, but said the biggest issue is the timing of scrutineering.<\/p>\n
Cars pass through technical inspections prior to practice, meaning they arrive at the track already set up with very little wiggle room for adjustments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have this practice session, we only have one set of tyres, which at most race tracks means you get one run in practice,\u201d said Bell.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith tech being before practice you don\u2019t have the opportunity to change your car or try a different set-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m okay with having the amount of practice that we have, but it would be nice to be able to make changes to your car before the race day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems like everybody in the industry is pretty content with the way it is, going through tech and then practicing and then going into qualifying and the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t give you an opportunity to work on your cars.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the standpoint of Shane, not having any time or tyre allotments is hindering him.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, selfishly, I would like to be able to work on my car after practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NASCAR Cup Series continues at Darlington for the Goodyear 400 on Monday.<\/p>\n
For more of the latest NASCAR news and analysis, visit Speedcafe US<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/294243.gif\")