In a heartbreaking turn of events, Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Australian Supercar champion, saw his Xfinity Series title hopes dashed at the Charlotte Roval, missing out on a spot in the Round of 8 by a razor-thin margin of just four points. Despite starting the race from pole and being one of the most formidable competitors throughout the season, van Gisbergen was eliminated from the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, leaving him dejected but reflective on the season so far.
The Kiwi driver, who made headlines last year with a sensational one-off victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Chicago street race, embarked on his first full-time season in America this year with Kaulig Racing, eager to prove that his win wasn’t a fluke. He quickly became one of the favorites for the championship, showcasing his prowess with three wins, particularly around street courses, where his road-racing experience gave him an edge.
However, despite his earlier success, van Gisbergen’s playoff journey ended abruptly at the Roval. His performance throughout the race was strong, but luck was not on his side as he fell just short of advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
Speaking after the race, van Gisbergen expressed his disappointment but also gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level.
“Yeah, especially how we were racing, you know, I let them kind of go easy to try and minimize the damage, and then my tires kind of came good because I was going easy on them and we started catching again. But, you know, it’s pretty tough, did what I could.”
Despite the elimination, van Gisbergen remains focused on finishing the season strong and adding more wins to his resume before his expected move to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time next year. His journey has been remarkable, with his pole position at the Roval further proving his talent in unfamiliar machinery.
The 35-year-old isn’t done yet, as he still has another chance to shine this weekend, starting from pole in the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America Roval 400. His pole position for the race further cements his status as one of the top road-course specialists in NASCAR.
“Just make sure we race clean, you know. There’s a lot of playoff guys around me, I have to race respectfully, but yeah, we’re here to win the race,” van Gisbergen said, signaling his intentions to take the victory while navigating the tense playoff battle around him.
Meanwhile, criticism continues to swirl around the changes made to the Roval, with several drivers, including van Gisbergen, expressing their concerns about the reconfiguration. The track, once considered a thrilling challenge, has been met with dissatisfaction this year, with many drivers voicing their frustration about the new layout.
As van Gisbergen looks ahead to his Cup Series future, his journey in the Xfinity Series remains a testament to his adaptability and skill. While his championship dreams may be over for this season, his future in NASCAR looks bright.
