During Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Shane van Gisbergen issued a blunt radio message as he battled through the field with an unsettled car. The Trackhouse Racing driver started mid-pack and steadily advanced despite ongoing balance and traction difficulties, demonstrating resilience amid the challenge.
The race began with intense action at the front. Tyler Reddick held the pole initially but soon faced a strong challenge when Chase Briscoe made a bold three-wide move into Turn 1 to seize the early lead. Behind them, numerous drivers exchanged positions during the opening laps as the field worked to find a stable rhythm.
Team strategies quickly played a role. While Ryan Blaney and Ross Chastain contested near the front, others started adjusting for upcoming pit stops. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen methodically gained ground, picking off cars from the middle of the pack over the early portion of the race.
Despite his progress, van Gisbergen’s radio transmissions revealed his clear dissatisfaction with the car’s handling. NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck shared one of van Gisbergen’s messages on X capturing the driver’s frustration.
“Feels pretty sh*t, but everyone looks sh*t, so we’ve got what we’ve got,” Shane van Gisbergen said over the radio as he navigated traffic.
Further explanation of his vehicle’s condition was provided by NASCAR reporter Zach Sturniolo, who relayed van Gisbergen’s continued remarks about handling problems.
“Asked how his car is, SVG says: ‘It feels pretty [expletive], but everyone’s is [expletive] so we’ve kinda got what we’ve got. Starting to build a little tight now, but better than yesterday. Traction’s poor.’”
These comments highlighted the widespread balance issues drivers encountered throughout the race. Van Gisbergen had already described his car as mediocre during the pre-race press conference. He qualified 13th and placed near 20th during practice, signaling that the No. 97 Trackhouse team faced difficulties dialing in the car ahead of the event.
Nonetheless, despite the challenges, van Gisbergen showcased his skill on road courses by climbing to second place at the conclusion of Stage 1, underscoring his reputation as one of NASCAR’s strongest on these complex circuits.
Van Gisbergen’s Reputation as NASCAR’s Road-Course Leader at COTA
Entering COTA, Shane van Gisbergen was widely regarded as the premier road-course racer in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2025, he dominated this specialty by winning five out of six road-course events on the schedule, showcasing his exceptional skill on road circuits.
However, before this weekend, a win at COTA had eluded him. Earlier in the weekend, van Gisbergen secured victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts race at the Austin track while driving the No. 9 JR Motorsports Safety Culture Chevrolet, adding to his impressive list of road-course successes across NASCAR’s highest tiers.
Van Gisbergen’s talent is not confined solely to road courses. Over the past year, he has steadily improved his performance on oval tracks, with noticeable progress at events like Daytona and Atlanta. This growth has elevated him into a more versatile and comprehensive competitor capable of contending on diverse track types.
As the NASCAR season continues, van Gisbergen’s ability to adapt and excel on both road and oval circuits increases his potential impact across the championship battle. How his team manages vehicle setup and race strategy moving forward will be crucial to sustaining this momentum.
