Shane Van Gisbergen is demonstrating remarkable momentum heading into the NASCAR playoffs following his recent pole position at Sonoma Raceway and a historic sweep of the races at the Chicago Street Course. On July 12, 2025, JR Motorsports secured the front row at Sonoma, with Van Gisbergen recording a fast qualifying time of 1:15.259, narrowly beating teammate Connor Zilisch by over two-tenths of a second. Just one week prior, Van Gisbergen dominated Chicago by winning both the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series races from the pole position, further fueling his playoff surge.
This sustained success highlights the New Zealand driver’s growing confidence and prowess on road courses, setting the stage for a strong postseason campaign.
Van Gisbergen Expresses Confidence After Sonoma Qualifying
Following his Sonoma pole, Shane Van Gisbergen spoke about the performance of his car and the conditions of the track. He noted,
“I was having fun out there … Looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
Acknowledging that the track presented slipperier conditions compared to last year due to higher temperatures, he added,
“It’s hotter than last year, so it’s a bit slippery. The car is quite different from last year … Just trying to get it a bit centered but I feel good.”
His outlook reflects both his adaptability and the improvements made in setup, which are critical factors as he advances deeper into the playoff season.
Team Unity Strengthened Through Victory Celebrations
The chemistry within Trackhouse Racing’s crew has been bolstered by recent successes, creating a positive environment for Van Gisbergen and his team. He emphasized the importance of these moments, stating,
“The last month or two has been awesome for our team. After how it started especially on the 88 side just getting better and better. We had our win lunch for Mexico a couple weeks ago at Trackhouse and how much it meant to everyone and how stoked and appreciative we were of everything. It was really cool moment and even last week, winning again.”
The win at Mexico City’s Viva México 250, held on June 15, marked a significant turning point in his season. Starting from the pole, Van Gisbergen led 60 out of 100 laps and crossed the finish line 16 seconds ahead of the competition, the largest winning margin on a road course since 1979. Before this breakthrough, he had only managed a single top-10 finish in 15 races and was sitting 33rd in the standings. This decisive victory locked in his playoff position for 2025 and transformed the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing program into a legitimate postseason contender.
The mention of the “88 side” reflects appreciation for the crew supporting the part-time No. 91 car, whose steady progress has been crucial in adapting to new tracks and the demands of the Cup Series.
Van Gisbergen Highlights the Emotional Impact of Success
Reflecting on the ongoing momentum within the team, Van Gisbergen said,
“The feeling never gets old and you just keep riding the wave and again it’s how much it means to everyone and how hard everyone works. It’s a cool feeling to reward ourselves with a win and we just stay confident and the confidence keeps building.”
This confidence was further reinforced at Trackhouse’s headquarters during the win lunch following the Mexico City triumph, which served as a powerful morale boost for the entire crew.
Historic Chicago Sweep Establishes Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Dominance
The weekend following the Mexico City victory saw Shane Van Gisbergen complete a rare and exceptional feat by winning both the Xfinity and Cup Series races at Chicago on July 5 and 6. Achieving this sweep solidified Van Gisbergen’s status as the winningest foreign-born Cup driver, surpassing Marcos Ambrose in NASCAR history. This accomplishment also underscores the success of Project91, Trackhouse Racing’s initiative to nurture international talent focused on road course racing.
Van Gisbergen’s in-depth conversations with fellow racing star Max Verstappen ahead of Mexico’s race have contributed to his ever-improving skill set, helping to build the confidence that is now propelling Trackhouse Racing during the playoff push.
Ryan Blaney Praises Van Gisbergen’s Performance and Edge on Road Courses
Shane Van Gisbergen’s outstanding road course performances have not gone unnoticed by his competitors. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion, expressed admiration for Van Gisbergen’s dominant Mexico City win, which saw a commanding 16-second margin of victory. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR, Blaney remarked,
“The only time I watch him is on the TV, because I don’t see him during the race. He’s so far ahead of me … It’s a lot of admiration. I know how good he is.”
Blaney described Van Gisbergen’s Mexico performance as a “b–t kicking,” and added,
“While he was coming out both ends, as he was saying in Mexico, and he still put 15 seconds on everybody. So, it’s just impressive, man.”
The precision with which Van Gisbergen maneuvers the car, managing bumps, braking points, and maintaining balance throughout his laps, places him in a league of his own. Blaney noted,
“He’s doing all that at 90 percent,”
hinting that Van Gisbergen has even greater speed in reserve.
Even with tough competition from road course specialists like Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott, Van Gisbergen remains a standout, as demonstrated by his performance sweep in Chicago and his Sonoma pole. However, despite his road course prowess reflected in two Cup wins this season, he remains 27th in points due to struggles on oval tracks. If he can find additional speed on ovals or push his road course performances to full throttle, he could elevate his dominance further, forcing competitors to vie for second place.
The Broader Impact of Van Gisbergen’s Playoff Run
Shane Van Gisbergen’s surge in the 2025 NASCAR season points to a potential reshaping of the playoff landscape, particularly through his road course expertise. His victories at Mexico City, Chicago, and Sonoma not only validate his talent but also highlight Trackhouse Racing’s successful strategy in targeting road course success. This momentum may inspire further investments in driver development and international talent scouting.
As the playoffs progress, Van Gisbergen’s confident approach and the teamwork behind him suggest that he will remain a formidable contender. Fans and rivals alike are watching closely to see if he can translate his road course excellence into consistent overall performance, possibly changing the competitive dynamics in NASCAR’s pursuit of championship glory.