Shane Van Gisbergen revealed that during the early part of his NASCAR Cup Series debut this year, he felt like he was finishing “50th” in nearly every race. The three-time supercar champion faced a challenging start to his first full Cup season, struggling to adjust to the particular demands of oval racing. In his first 15 races, he only managed to crack the top 10 once, with an average finish of 25.26.
However, Van Gisbergen turned his season around with a historic win at NASCAR’s inaugural race in Mexico City last month. He then built momentum with consecutive victories in Chicago and Sonoma, boosting his playoff chances. Despite these successes coming on road courses and street circuits, Van Gisbergen and the Trackhouse team believe they’ve made significant strides over the last two months.
Reflecting on his early results, Van Gisbergen said, “Yeah, that’s weird. We were coming in 50th.” But he added it wasn’t devastating, as he felt himself improving and getting closer to the performance of his teammates. Over the past month or two, both Van Gisbergen and the No. 88 team have become much stronger. The team has already secured four wins this season, including Ross Chastain’s victory at the Coca-Cola 600, marking a remarkable turnaround.
Looking ahead, Van Gisbergen acknowledged he’s not expecting to win every race but wants to keep progressing and aim for consistent mid-pack finishes. His Sonoma win was particularly tough, surviving three slow restarts and intense pressure from Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Toyota. He described the track conditions, noting how soft tires left “marbles” that made the racing surface slippery and challenging.
He praised his competitors, especially Briscoe, saying it was a respectful and exciting contest. “Chase knew he wasn’t going to do anything stupid, but he really got close a few times on turn 2. He had the right crack. It was a cool race.”
Fan Take: Shane Van Gisbergen’s breakthrough performance highlights how talented road racers can adapt and succeed in NASCAR’s diverse formats, adding fresh excitement to the sport. His progress signals a bright future not just for him but also for Trackhouse Racing, showing that persistence and adaptability can shake up traditional racing dynamics.
