Shane van Gisbergen reached a pivotal milestone in his transition to American racing by securing his first oval victory in the Legends Cars Pro division. During Round 10 of the Cook Out Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Trackhouse Racing rookie delivered a dramatic late-race win, signaling his growing potential on American short tracks.
As a three-time Supercars champion, van Gisbergen led a competitive field, holding off championship contender Jake Bollman in a battle that highlighted his improving oval skills. Since mid-2025, van Gisbergen has been actively competing in the Summer Shootout’s Pro division, sharpening his craft on these grassroots ovals while balancing his career alongside notable drivers.
Intense Battle and Strategic Driving in the Pro Division Finale
Driving the #97 SSR LOBS Legends car for Joe Ryan Racecars, van Gisbergen began the 25-lap feature from third position and quickly advanced past polesitter Tyler Reif. He then set his sights on Jake Bollman, who was aiming for his second straight division championship. The race unfolded with clean, close racing at the front, where van Gisbergen expertly managed pressure.
“It was fun. It was one of the cleanest races up the front that I’ve seen. I really enjoyed it. Had some good battles. Great racing with the #71. I think he won the championship too, so congrats to him. We raced clean, and then at the end, he’d the opportunity to move me and he didn’t. I had a lot of fun – my first oval win,” Van Gisbergen said after the win (via Speed Cafe).
Bollman ultimately finished second, securing the championship with 830 points, narrowly ahead of Danny Chisolm with 811 and Keelan Harvick, son of Kevin Harvick, who scored 810 points in the season standings. Van Gisbergen’s victory was celebrated widely, including a victory lane photo shared on his social media.
Lessons Learned on Ovals and Impact on Cup Series Campaign
This victory marks a notable step in van Gisbergen’s ongoing adaptation to oval racing—a format quite different from the road courses where he had previously excelled. Though he has already notched multiple road course wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, van Gisbergen views this first Legends oval triumph as a critical part of his development.
“It hasn’t hurt it… I obviously learned some skills, and Joe Ryan and his team, they’re great teachers. It’s just time turning left for me, it’s what I need,” he reflected post-race.
Having wrapped up his 2025 Legends campaign with this win, van Gisbergen plans to return to New Zealand for the off-season but anticipates resuming oval competition with Legends cars in 2026, continuing his steady progress on short tracks.
Other Victories Highlight Champions Night Finale
The finale of the Champions Night at Charlotte also featured winners in various divisions, showcasing rising talent and seasoned competitors. Camden Powers took the Beginner Bandoleros division, Carson Sherman won in the Outlaws, Parker Ives claimed victory in Chargers, Case James in Young Lions, and J.R. Allen in the VP Fuels Semi-Pro class. veteran Kyle Busch triumphed in the American Rebel Ale Masters category, with his son Brexton Busch winning the Bandits division.
Despite these notable performances, Shane van Gisbergen’s landmark first oval win stood out as a defining moment, reinforcing his commitment to mastering this challenging aspect of stock car racing.
Van Gisbergen Prepares for Next Challenge at Iowa Speedway
With the Summer Shootout complete, Shane van Gisbergen now sets his sights on the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event at Iowa Speedway. Although not a favorite to win at this 0.875-mile short track, he approaches the Iowa Corn 350 armed with valuable experience, including laps from recent oval races and lessons learned from a tough start last year.
Having secured his spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs thanks to three victories on road courses in Mexico City, Chicago Street Course, and Sonoma, van Gisbergen’s oval performance remains key to mounting a serious championship push in his rookie full-time Cup season. Recent finishes at Charlotte, Michigan, and Indianapolis—while not spectacular—reflect steady progress and increased patience on oval circuits.
The upcoming trip to Iowa Speedway will be another crucial test of van Gisbergen’s oval racing growth, as he seeks to sharpen skills vital to competing consistently at NASCAR’s highest level.