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WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NASCAR Cup Series rookie Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) saw his 2025 playoff hopes end on Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, the New Zealand driver needed a big points day to stay alive. Instead, two spins and a lack of rhythm ended his night early. He finished the round 19 points short, and he didn’t try to hide his disappointment.
“Yeah, I’m happy but frustrated,” SVG said after the race. “Proud. It’s a privilege to be here but also pissed at myself. The last few weeks I just haven’t been good enough. I’ve been really doing well, getting better at ovals and I just haven’t performed the last couple weeks.”
“Didn’t understand the track early enough there and what the tires were doing and how to save them. I blame myself at the moment, but thanks to the Trackhouse team we’ve had an awesome year and it’s still not over yet, but I need to be better myself and it’s just going to come with time.”
It was a rare bit of raw honesty from a driver known more for calm confidence than self-criticism.
From Road Course Ace to Oval Lessons
SVG’s rookie season has been wild. He stormed into NASCAR from Supercars Championship in Australia and won four Cup Series races this year, at Chicago Street Course, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Watkins Glen International, and another street circuit. Those wins, all on road or street courses, helped him qualify for the playoffs.
But ovals have been his steepest learning curve. He came into Bristol needing to erase a 15-point gap and left with frustration. He has been candid on the issue: tight turns, shifting grip and the way tires get worn out within a short circuit.
“I didn’t do a good enough job,” he said. “The team gave me a great car, but I couldn’t get it done on the ovals. That’s on me.”
This wasn’t the first tough oval result either. He has already completed 32nd at Darlington Raceway at the beginning of the playoffs and 38 th at the spring race at Bristol. Nonetheless, there is no denying his talent and with his aggressive driving, he has been one of the breakout stars in the season.
Even After the Disappointment, Shane van Gisbergen Isn’t Quitting on the Year
Even after the disappointment, Shane van Gisbergen isn’t quitting on the year. He’s already looking ahead to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in October, a road course where he could grab a fifth win.
And he’s shifting his focus toward helping his teammate, Ross Chastain, who is still in the hunt.
“Yeah, I’ll do everything I can prep-wise, help him study, and now the priority for our team is to get the 1 through to the next round and to the finals,” SVG said. “I’m happy to help him.”
It’s not the ending he hoped for, but Shane van Gisbergen’s first full season has been unforgettable, and he’s already planning to come back stronger.
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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