In just one year, Shane van Gisbergen has transitioned from having almost no experience in oval racing to steadily improving his performance in this specialized form of motorsport. Initially, his NASCAR expectations focused mainly on road courses, with hopes that he would secure wins there, make the playoffs, and extend his run as far as possible while gaining experience on ovals. However, recent changes to the competition format require consistent point scoring and clean driving on all track types, including ovals, which challenges van Gisbergen to develop greater versatility.
Progress Through Two NASCAR Seasons and Key Performances
Van Gisbergen has competed across two NASCAR seasons—one in the Xfinity Series and his current participation in the Cup Series—accumulating valuable laps on oval tracks. His progress is notable, with a qualifying result of 10th place at New Hampshire followed by a strong top-10 run during Stage 1 of the same event. The momentum continued with a top-10 finish at Kansas the very next week in the previous season. Towards the end of last season, van Gisbergen recorded several top-10 and even top-five results, although race finishes didn’t always reflect these strong runs.
Challenges That Have Limited Finishing Success
Despite the encouraging pace, van Gisbergen’s races have often been cut short by incidents outside his control or handling issues with the car, such as it being too tight. These setbacks have prevented him from turning strong mid-race positions into solid finishes. However, data shows measurable improvement: his average finish on ovals improved from 26.6 in the first half of the season to 22.73 in the latter half, indicating steady advancement in adapting to oval racing.
Van Gisbergen’s Candid Assessment of His Oval Readiness
Even with this clear progression, Shane van Gisbergen remains realistic about his current standing, acknowledging that he is not yet ready to claim victories on oval circuits. Reflecting on his development, he stated,
“I think genuinely to win one outright on speed. We’re not there yet, but I can still, I still feel things every week. I have light bulb moments or I feel big progression every week, still, so if that stops happening, I’ll start getting worried.” ? Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
He further emphasized the ongoing learning curve, adding,
“But I still know that I have so much to learn and get better at. So yeah, there’s still progress to come. I’d love to win a race on an oval, but I want to genuinely deserve it too,”
expressing a desire not only to win but to do so on merit as his skill continues to evolve.
Outlook for Van Gisbergen and Trackhouse Team’s Oval Ambitions
The Trackhouse driver is aware that gaining additional speed and consistency on ovals will be crucial before his team can mount a legitimate challenge for a victory. As noted on NASCAR Radio,
“I think genuinely to win one outright on speed, we’re not there yet […] I feel big progression every week, still.” ? Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
This ongoing improvement suggests van Gisbergen is committed to pushing his limits, laying the groundwork for future success on oval tracks.
As NASCAR’s format continues emphasizing consistent point accumulation across diverse track types, Shane van Gisbergen’s gradual oval progress remains a critical element for his potential playoff success and overall competitiveness this season. His measured approach and acknowledgment of the challenges ahead underline the pressure he faces but also the steady advancement that could soon transform him into a genuine oval contender.
🇳🇿 @shanevg97 thinks there's more speed to be found from himself on ovals before the No. 97 team can legitimately challenge for a victory this season.
🔊 "I think genuinely to win one outright on speed, we're not there yet […] I feel big progression every week, still." pic.twitter.com/SmUlPCa4am
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) February 12, 2026
