Shane van Gisbergen, the rising star of the NASCAR Cup Series, has articulated his most profound ambition in a single sentence: to excel not only on road courses, but to become a force to reckon with on ovals as well. The Trackhouse Racing sensation has made a name for himself as a road course specialist since his triumphant NASCAR debut at the series’ inaugural street race. However, it’s 2025, and the New Zealander is striving to expand his prowess beyond his comfort zone.
Despite his impressive performances on road courses, van Gisbergen’s recent showing at Daytona and Atlanta Motor Speedway left much to be desired. The Kiwi driver managed only a 33rd place finish at Daytona and a 23rd position at Atlanta. Yet, these final standings don’t reflect the full trajectory of the #88 Trackhouse Racing driver’s journey. In both races, SVG consistently found himself among the leaders, showcasing his potential and resilience even when he fell victim to on-track incidents and was forced to exit the race prematurely.
SVG has a stellar opportunity to redeem himself at the upcoming Austin race. As a road course specialist, van Gisbergen is a prime candidate for the winner’s circle. But the Kiwi is not just aiming for a win; he’s aiming to bolster his reputation on oval tracks.
Speaking to Speedcafe, SVG admitted, “I just want to be someone you think of at an oval. I really want to get better at ovals and every week be a contender, not just five times a year. So that’s kind of my focus.” Clearly, he is setting his sights on being a consistent, regular threat on the oval circuit, not a sporadic one.
The 3-time V8 Supercars champion initially desired to remain under the radar, hoping to catch the NASCAR drivers off guard and spring a surprise. But his unexpected victory at Chicago dispelled any chances of that. His revised strategy is to hone his craft on ovals to emerge as a stronger contender.
Behind the scenes, van Gisbergen has been relentless in his efforts to evolve as a driver. Known for his deep understanding of data, SVG spends considerable time analyzing race data and strategizing his moves. His dedication, coupled with the unwavering support from his talented Trackhouse Racing crew, could be the winning formula leading him to success.
In his pursuit of excellence, SVG has displayed a commendable commitment to learning and improvement. He is constantly studying his competitors, scrutinizing data post-practice, and preparing for each race with meticulous precision. As he prepares for the race at the Circuit of the Americas, his focus is laser-sharp.
SVG has already secured a promising 6th position on the starting grid for the upcoming race. Ahead of him are pole-sitter Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, who have locked out the front row for 23XI Racing. Chase Elliott and Carson Hocevar are on the second row, while his teammate Daniel Suarez completes an all-Trackhouse third row.
In a nutshell, Shane van Gisbergen’s ultimate NASCAR ambition is clear – to be a consistent contender and a recognizable name on the oval track. And given his tenacity and dedication, it seems likely that he will be able to turn this dream into reality.