NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane van Gisbergen shared his plans regarding strategic risks in preparation for the upcoming Chicago Street Course race. In a recent interview with Cup Scene before the Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025, van Gisbergen explained how his team is willing to experiment with car setups to find performance gains, reflecting his cautious yet determined mindset.
Van Gisbergen, a former SuperCar Series champion from New Zealand, made a notable impact since joining Trackhouse Racing in 2023. Driving the #91 Chevy Camaro ZL1, he stunned the field by winning the inaugural Chicago Street Course race, finishing ahead of elite drivers including Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. This victory played a crucial role in his signing as a development driver for the team shortly after.
Strategic Car Modifications and Competitive Edge Influences Race Preparation
When asked about the possibility of trying new car settings, van Gisbergen highlighted the challenges of a closed practice format at Chicago, where teams have limited opportunity to adjust their setups between sessions. Despite this, his team plans to build upon lessons learned from a previous road course race in Mexico.
“Uh, we did that at Mexico, and we’ll continue to make it better here. So yeah, it’s been good to try a few things, and it’s difficult here because it’s a closed sort of practice. What you turn up with is what you’re stuck with. It wasn’t a risk at Mexico — we could change it if it wasn’t very good. But yeah, we just keep trying to make the car better.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
He also acknowledged ongoing challenges he has faced regarding the car’s feel in recent years, but his current race win offers some flexibility in strategy. He explained the balance Trackhouse must consider between securing playoff points and starting positions in the upcoming stages.
“There are some feelings I’ve struggled with in the car the last couple of years, and it’s nice to try some things. We’re obviously in a nice position now having won a race, and that may change our strategy. If we’re in a position to get a playoff point, we’ll probably try and get that, but that’ll put us deep in the field for the next stage. So yeah, there’s a bit of a toss-up there in what we’re going to do, but it’s a nice position to be in. And yeah, you’re right — we can try some stuff now,” he added.
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Team Dynamics Highlight Ross Chastain’s Leadership Amid Ongoing Qualifying Challenges
While van Gisbergen adjusts to the strategic elements of his rookie NASCAR season, his Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain earned the team’s first victory of 2025 at the prestigious Coca-Cola 600. Chastain’s last-minute maneuver secured a win over William Byron from Hendrick Motorsports, providing momentum for Trackhouse.
Despite this success, van Gisbergen pointed out some difficulties the team faces in qualifying, which remains an area requiring improvement as they continue to develop their competitive edge.
“I think he’s the top guy here, and Daniel’s pretty close as well, like everyone’s pushing really hard, they’re race-winning drivers. Then we’re qualifying mid 20s and in the 30s every week. So you know, and still qualifying, we’re not great.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“It was a real struggle like I think I was fifth or sixth on the average lap. That’s pretty good. But, qualifying, we just can’t switch the tire off. So yeah, we need to work on that,” he added.
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Current Season Performance and Outlook for Van Gisbergen and Trackhouse Racing
Entering the 2025 Challenge Round 2 at the Chicago Street Road Course, van Gisbergen holds 268 points and is ranked 32nd in the Cup Series standings. His rookie campaign includes one win, two top-10 finishes, one top-five finish, and a pole position over 18 starts. These results underline his rapid adaptation to NASCAR’s demands and support his team’s strategy of measured experimentation on road courses.
The upcoming Grant Park 165 event, broadcast live on TNT Sports, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, offers an opportunity for van Gisbergen and Trackhouse to improve their position in the playoffs. The driver’s cautious but hopeful approach to strategic risks will be vital in navigating the challenging street course while balancing playoff point gains and competitive starting positions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes it was wise to leave Supercars for a NASCAR career. This year is his first full season in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, racing with Kaulig Racing, after spending 15 years in Supercars.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I’m stepping away from V8 Supercars for personal reasons that I don’t want to talk about openly. I’m returning home to New Zealand and have not decided on my next steps yet.