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Shane van Gisbergen celebrates after winning his fourth road course race in 2025

Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) is no longer just a road course expert. The New Zealander has turned into one of the most talked-about drivers in NASCAR as the 2025 playoffs approach.

A three-time Supercars champion, SVG proved early that he could dominate tricky road courses. Now, he’s showing signs that he can handle NASCAR’s famous ovals too, and that has legends like Kevin Harvick taking notice.

On the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick said SVG has what it takes to survive the first round of the playoffs. Thanks to four wins this season, all on road courses, van Gisbergen already has a solid base of playoff points. Harvick believes that cushion could carry him even if his oval finishes land around 14th to 18th place.

“Why would you bet against him?” Harvick asked. “If he can get those finishes in the first round with the points he has, he can make it through.”

SVG’s Road Course Skills and Oval Progress

SVG came into NASCAR with a reputation for road courses, and he’s lived up to it. Winning four of five road course races this season, he’s quickly become the driver to beat whenever the track twists and turns. That streak alone locked him into the playoffs.

But his progress on ovals is what’s exciting people. At Richmond Raceway, he grabbed a 14th-place finish. But for a driver in only his second full Cup Series season, it was a big step. Harvick said it proved SVG is learning fast and becoming more balanced.

Kyle Larson added his own warning, “He’s still new to the oval stuff, so he’s going to continue to get better at that. And, yeah, I mean, if he can figure out the ovals, he’s going to be dominant. if SVG masters ovals, “he could be a force in the sport, even becoming a dominant champion in the future.”

SVG agrees that the transition hasn’t been easy. In a chat with Dale Earnhardt Jr., he admitted, “I feel like I’ve had some really good races. We’re still a long way from winning a race or being complete, but I can feel and see where the time is. I’m having more moments where I have a couple of good sections of a race or feel the car doing something, and I’m like, ‘Oh, there it is. There’s a limit.’ I’m getting closer to that every week, and I’m feeling it more often. I can really feel the progression.”

His steady improvement, along with his enjoyment of oval racing, shows he’s heading in the right direction.

Why He’s a Dark Horse in the Playoffs

Harvick’s support doesn’t stop at round one. He believes SVG could go even deeper into the playoffs. Road-heavy tracks like the Charlotte Roval could give him the edge he needs to make a run.

In NASCAR’s playoff system, it’s not always about finishing in the top 10. It’s about staying consistent, banking points, and seizing opportunities. SVG’s mix of road course wins, better oval form, and pure determination fits that formula.

SVG has also noticed the shift in his own performance: “I feel like I’m matching my teammates a lot of weeks and qualifying really well. I can see it coming and feel it coming.” That mindset, plus the fun he’s finding on ovals, makes him one of the sport’s most exciting names right now, Brian Jones of on3.com

Shane van Gisbergen’s story isn’t just about proving he belongs. It’s about showing how far he can climb. With Harvick backing him and drivers like Larson pointing to his future potential, SVG is no longer under the radar.

He may or may not contend for a championship this season. But his rise from road course specialist to all-around Cup driver has been incredible to watch. As Harvick put it best: don’t count him out.

Dogli Wilberforce Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer covering football, basketball, MMA, and other trending sports stories for outlets including Total Apex Sports, and Last Word on Sports. He 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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