Shane van Gisbergen was one of NASCAR’s most compelling stories in 2024-25. The New Zealander’s journey from struggling rookie to playoff contender captivated fans, but his championship dreams ended with a harsh lesson in oval racing.
After dominating road courses all season, van Gisbergen discovered that playoff survival requires mastering every type of track.
How Did Shane van Gisbergen Transform His 2024-25 Season?
Van Gisbergen’s season started slowly, with the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing driver sitting 33rd in points through the first 15 races. However, everything changed at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez during NASCAR’s first international points race in six decades.
The Kiwi driver arrived in victory lane and stunned the racing world with his dominant performance in Mexico City. Leading 60 of 100 laps, van Gisbergen showcased the road course mastery, defining his campaign. The victory earned him an automatic playoff berth and launched an impressive run of success.
Following his breakthrough in Mexico, van Gisbergen conquered three more road courses during the regular season. His four road course victories made him the winningest rookie in Cup Series history and set a new record for most wins by a Trackhouse Racing driver in a single season.
What Went Wrong During van Gisbergen’s Playoff Run?
The playoffs exposed van Gisbergen’s biggest weakness: oval racing. Despite entering as the sixth seed with a 16-point cushion, his lack of experience on traditional NASCAR tracks quickly became apparent.
At Darlington Raceway, the No. 88 Chevrolet began the playoffs opener in 20th position. After struggling with balance and grip issues throughout the contest, van Gisbergen ended his day in 32nd place. A 54-second pit stop followed by another 35-second stop to fix mechanical problems derailed any chance of a strong finish.
The following weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway proved equally challenging. Starting 18th, van Gisbergen quickly fell to 25th before a timely caution allowed him to restart 12th. However, a mid-race tire puncture spun him out on lap 156, and a speeding penalty further damaged his playoff hopes. He managed only a 25th-place finish, leaving him below the playoff bubble.
At Bristol Motor Speedway, van Gisbergen faced his elimination race needing to overcome a 15-point deficit. The high-banked short track presented unique challenges with tire wear and strategic gaps that he couldn’t overcome. He could only manage a 26th-place finish, officially ending his playoff run.
How Did van Gisbergen Respond to His Playoff Elimination?
After his elimination at Bristol, van Gisbergen took full responsibility for his performance. His honest assessment revealed both frustration and determination to improve.
“Yeah, I’m happy but frustrated,” van Gisbergen said. “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. I didn’t understand the track early enough there and what the tyres were doing and how to save them.”
The veteran road racer assumed responsibility for most of his struggles while thanking his team for their support throughout the season. “I blame myself at the moment, but thanks to the Trackhouse team we’ve had an awesome year and still not over yet, but I need to be better myself and it’s just going to come with time,” he continued.
Van Gisbergen concluded by describing his playoff experience and outlining his goals for improvement. “It’s been a privilege to be in the Playoffs. Everyone knew the first round was going to be difficult; I just didn’t do a good enough job. I need to keep getting better at the ovals, and the road courses will keep working, but I need to start improving on this stuff.”
Though van Gisbergen is out of playoff contention, he still has seven opportunities remaining in the 2024-25 season to improve his non-road course skills without the extra pressure of advancing to the next round. His historic rookie campaign, despite the early playoff exit, has established him as one of NASCAR’s premier road course talents while highlighting the areas he must develop for future championship runs.