Shane van Gisbergen, driving the No. 97 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, is focusing intensely on improving his performance in the upcoming NASCAR season, especially at the Daytona 500. As one of NASCAR’s most promising talents, van Gisbergen’s preparations reflect his commitment to mastering oval racing, emphasizing steady progress through careful review and continuous adjustments.
Ongoing Development Rather Than Fixed Optimism
Van Gisbergen describes his mindset as a constant work in progress, refraining from rigid expectations about his oval racing prospects. He explains that rather than being overly optimistic or pessimistic, he measures his growth by how much he learns each weekend.
“I feel like I’m just getting better and better. So hopefully it keeps getting better. I still feel like I learn a lot every weekend. When that stops, that’s when it gets harder, I guess,”
he stated.
Track-Based Experience Over Simulation Practice
When asked about the role of simulation in improving his oval racing skills, van Gisbergen confirms that real racetrack experience remains crucial. While some drivers may benefit from simulator work, he notes,
“It’s all on the racetrack. You can do some sim stuff, but I don’t feel it really helps me.”
Improving Performance Late in the Season at Kansas
Van Gisbergen identified Kansas as a highlight in his oval racing progress, attributing better finishes to accumulating experience over the season.
“I guess it was later in the year. We were just getting better and better,”
he remarked. He pointed out that despite several opportunities with strong speed, race incidents or errors prevented top finishes previously, but consistent top-10 results late in the season were encouraging.
Adjusting to NASCAR’s Changing Race Formats and Track Choices
The driver expressed mixed feelings about NASCAR’s schedule changes, including the reduction of road course races and the implementation of the “win-and-you’re-in” format. While road courses are a bonus in his eyes, van Gisbergen acknowledged,
“I didn’t join this series to do road courses, but obviously it’s a bonus. I’d love more road courses and not less, but that is what it is. Thankfully, we’re getting better at the ovals so that’s good.”
The Thrills and Challenges of Superspeedway Racing
Van Gisbergen shared his nuanced view of racing at high-speed tracks like Daytona and Talladega, emphasizing the variability dependent on race conditions. He said,
“When it’s fuel saving, it’s pretty boring. But when it’s flat-out racing and you’re jockeying for position and pushing a lot, it’s pretty full-on. When it’s actual racing it’s really cool.”
Embracing the Points System and Championship Structure
Regarding NASCAR’s points format, the driver supports how it rewards consistent front-running performance and maintains competitive balance in the closing stages of the season. He observed,
“I think it’s good. I think if you’re a front-running guy consistently, I think it’s really good and more of a pure racing championship. Then I think it still keeps the balance of excitement or closing everyone up for those last 10 races.”
Collaboration and Learning from Teammate Conor Zillich
Van Gisbergen praised his teammate Conor Zillich as a talented and focused driver, optimistic about their potential synergy to enhance car setups.
“He’s a brilliant young guy. He’s been pretty focused and done a lot of racing over the offseason as well. It’s gonna be interesting to see how he goes and how he fits in after a few rounds,”
van Gisbergen explained.
Adapting Driving Style After a Full Cup Series Year
Having one full Cup Series season behind him, van Gisbergen reflected on how his unique driving style requires tailored setups, noting the ongoing adjustments made by the team. He elaborated,
“My driving style was very different to most, I guess. The way I make the car work or want it to work is very different to others.”
He described the challenge of adapting to car setups while guiding the team toward configurations that suit his approach better.
Primary Focus: Accumulating Points Toward The Chase
For van Gisbergen, the immediate priority is to accumulate as many points as possible to secure a spot in NASCAR’s postseason playoff, The Chase. As he detailed,
“Just score as many points as possible. That’s the way we’re going to get into The Chase. So it’s my mindset straight away … just accumulate as many points as we can every week.”
Distinct Strategies for Road Courses Versus Ovals
The New Zealand driver noted significant differences in focus and preparation when switching between road courses and oval tracks. He described road course racing as involving deeper involvement in car setup, while oval racing requires learning race dynamics and building racecraft knowledge.
“On road courses I’m more involved in setup with what I want. On the ovals I’m just kind of learning and trying to build a notebook,”
he said.
Building Trust and Skill in Drafting Techniques
Van Gisbergen acknowledged that mastering drafting and finding reliable partners on track remains a learning process. He remarked,
“No, I’m still learning and trying to make friends, I guess. People leave you for no reason, or you do something wrong and lose the trust of people. It takes a while to understand how to put your car in the right place.”
Adjusting Race Tactics with New Points-Focused Mindset
With the playoff structure focusing on consistent points accumulation, van Gisbergen indicated that his race approach has evolved to emphasize steady results over high-risk moves.
“It probably changes the way you take risks if you’re probably going to be like us, a guy trying to point our way in. I probably will approach it a bit different, I think,”
he explained.
Looking Ahead to a Critical Season with Trackhouse Racing
As the Daytona 500 looms, Shane van Gisbergen is channeling his experience and relentless determination to improve in oval racing and compete at the highest level in NASCAR. With continued adaptation, collaboration, and a clear focus on point accumulation, he aims to become a consistent playoff contender, leaving fans eager to follow his journey throughout the demanding season.
