AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Shane van Gisbergen’s Playoff Hopes Dwindle After Disappointing COTA Performance: An Inside Look

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Shane van Gisbergen’s Playoff Hopes Dwindle After Disappointing COTA Performance: An Inside Look

Shane Van Gisbergen No.88 speeds through the tri-oval during the final NASCAR Cup Series practice on Saturday, Feb.15,2025.

Shane van Gisbergen’s journey to the NASCAR playoffs has been far from smooth, his recent performance at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) leaving fans and insiders alike questioning whether his road course expertise will be enough to secure him a spot. The New Zealand native, known for his prowess on road courses, has been struggling to maintain his momentum, leading to speculation about his future in the tournament.

Since his switch to NASCAR, van Gisbergen has consistently demonstrated his exceptional talent, with his victory at the 2023 Chicago Street Race in difficult conditions being a testament to his skills. His impressive second-place finish at the Glen further validated his reputation as a formidable competitor. Yet, despite these successes, van Gisbergen’s performance at the COTA has raised doubts about his potential to reach the playoffs.

The Teardown podcast, hosted by NASCAR insiders Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, provided an in-depth analysis of van Gisbergen’s performance at the COTA. The hosts noted that despite van Gisbergen’s impressive start, he struggled with restarts throughout the day. Bianchi compared the situation to that of AJ Allmendinger a few years ago, cautioning that winning road courses is not a guaranteed ticket to the playoffs.

Additionally, van Gisbergen’s struggles were not limited to restarts alone. Despite having the best tires amongst his competitors, the #88 Trackhouse Racing driver was unable to maintain his lead. His final set of tires failed to impress, and he found himself in the middle of the pack, eventually restarting in 6th position. Despite a spirited fightback, he fell behind again on the restart, and his inability to keep pace with drivers such as Bell and Busch eventually led to his downfall at the COTA.

The skepticism surrounding van Gisbergen’s performance extends beyond Bianchi. Even Richard Petty, the legendary NASCAR driver, has expressed concerns about van Gisbergen’s fading advantage on road courses, pointing out that his data is accessible to all teams, potentially diminishing his competitive edge.

As the regular season draws to a close, van Gisbergen has just four road course races left to prove his mettle. The pressure to perform is mounting, especially after his missed opportunity at the COTA. The Kiwi driver now faces two alternatives: either intensify his efforts on the remaining road courses or hone his skills on ovals.

This isn’t the first time van Gisbergen has been in such a predicament. Bianchi recalled an incident from 2024 at Watkins Glen where van Gisbergen was on the verge of winning but lost due to a mistake, allowing Chris Buescher to seize the victory.

These instances underscore the harsh reality of racing – sometimes, even a minor error can cost a driver the victory. The road to the playoffs is particularly challenging for racers like van Gisbergen, who specialize in road courses. Unlike other drivers who compete throughout the regular season, they only have a handful of opportunities to prove themselves and secure a spot in the playoffs. Van Gisbergen’s journey to the playoffs, therefore, remains a wild ride, and only time will tell whether he will make the cut.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Bahrain F1 pre-season test erupts with drama: red flag chaos and rookie brilliance unfold
Motorsports

Bahrain F1 pre-season test erupts with drama: red flag chaos and rookie brilliance unfold

Bahrain F1 Pre-Season Test: Chaos Unleashed as Red Flags Fly! The Bahrain Formula 1 pre-season test kicked off with a...

by James Taylor
February 11, 2026
Lance Stroll unleashes savage jab at George Russell over controversial F1 power unit rules
Motorsports

Lance Stroll unleashes savage jab at George Russell over controversial F1 power unit rules

Lance Stroll Takes a Swing at George Russell Over New F1 Power Unit Regulations! In a thrilling twist of rivalry,...

by Simon Monroy
February 11, 2026
James Vowles sounds alarm: political engine row threatens to sideline Mercedes and rivals in F1
Motorsports

James Vowles sounds alarm: political engine row threatens to sideline Mercedes and rivals in F1

F1 Chaos: James Vowles Sounds Alarm Over ‘Political’ Engine Debacle That Could Ground Mercedes Teams! In a dramatic turn of...

by Harry Bright
February 11, 2026
Mercedes shocks F1 rivals with stunning race simulation: a wake-up call for Williams
Motorsports

Mercedes shocks F1 rivals with stunning race simulation: a wake-up call for Williams

In a stunning display of dominance, Mercedes has once again captured the spotlight in the world of Formula 1, sending...

by Harry Stone
February 11, 2026

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

Bahrain F1 pre-season test erupts with drama: red flag chaos and rookie brilliance unfold

Bahrain F1 pre-season test erupts with drama: red flag chaos and rookie brilliance unfold

February 11, 2026
Lance Stroll unleashes savage jab at George Russell over controversial F1 power unit rules

Lance Stroll unleashes savage jab at George Russell over controversial F1 power unit rules

February 11, 2026
James Vowles sounds alarm: political engine row threatens to sideline Mercedes and rivals in F1

James Vowles sounds alarm: political engine row threatens to sideline Mercedes and rivals in F1

February 11, 2026
Mercedes shocks F1 rivals with stunning race simulation: a wake-up call for Williams

Mercedes shocks F1 rivals with stunning race simulation: a wake-up call for Williams

February 11, 2026

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

MSports Play Icon
MSports Play
The New streaming service
Download
×
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.