Trackhouse Racing driver Shane van Gisbergen has shown significant advancement in his oval racing skills during his rookie NASCAR Cup Series season, according to crew chief Stephen Doran. Van Gisbergen, who had never raced on oval tracks before 2024, is steadily closing the gap as he adapts to the unique demands of oval circuits, with Doran highlighting this progress in a recent SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview.

Initially, the New Zealand competitor struggled during the start of the season but has actively worked on his oval racing capabilities throughout 2025. Van Gisbergen earned his first oval victory in the Legends Cars series at Charlotte Motor Speedway in July, reflecting his growing comfort on these challenging tracks.

Overcoming Setbacks and Gaining Confidence on the Ovals

Doran detailed a notable performance at Iowa Speedway where van Gisbergen faced adversity but demonstrated resilience. Despite two wrecks during the race, the crew chief noted that van Gisbergen consistently learns and adapts to oval racing’s nuances.

“He’s equally as good of a student on the ovals, and I think you’ve seen the progress from the beginning of the year until now. Really, I think since in the All Star race, our oval program has continued to get better. Even Iowa, we had a really good race going, gotten the fence, got the car fixed, and he drove back through the field to 16th with a kind of a dinged up race car, and then ended up getting wrecked again towards the end.”

—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief

Looking ahead, Doran expressed optimism for upcoming races at tracks with similar characteristics to Iowa, such as Richmond, noting that these venues align well with van Gisbergen’s driving style.

“But I’m excited for Richmond. It races similar to Iowa. Those, those type (of) tracks kind of suit his style. But really, all the ovals we’ve gotten, we’ve got the ton better at. Excited about where we’re at going into the playoffs,” he added.

—Stephen Doran, Crew Chief

At Iowa, van Gisbergen qualified 21st with a best lap time of 23.31 seconds and a top speed of 135.15 mph, finishing the long 350-lap race in 31st place after a difficult event. His performance nonetheless showed determination to overcome initial struggles.

Working Within Trackhouse Racing’s Competitive Environment

Within Trackhouse Racing, van Gisbergen is surrounded by strong teammates, including Ross Chastain, who secured the first win of the 2025 Cup Series season at the Coca-Cola 600. Chastain outpaced Hendrick Motorsports‘ William Byron by executing a decisive late-race move. His victory earned him an early playoff berth, solidifying his standing among the series’ frontrunners.

Reflecting on Chastain’s leadership in the team, van Gisbergen praised his teammate’s racing prowess and noted the overall competitive atmosphere at Trackhouse Racing.

“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.” [00:25 onwards]

—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver

Despite ongoing challenges with qualifying positions, van Gisbergen remains determined to improve throughout the season.

Current Season Stats Highlight Ongoing Challenges and Potential

Shane van Gisbergen currently sits 25th in the Cup Series standings with 441 points. Over 24 starts this season, he has captured four wins, secured five top-ten finishes, four top-five finishes, and earned three pole positions. Additionally, he has led 246 laps, maintaining an average finish position of 21.589. These statistics emphasize both his competitive moments and areas for growth as he gains experience on the oval tracks.

Outlook for the Playoffs and Future Races

As van Gisbergen’s oval program continues to develop, the momentum he has built throughout the season is crucial for his playoff prospects. With crew chief Stephen Doran’s strategic guidance and ongoing learning experiences at tracks like Iowa and Richmond, van Gisbergen’s performances are expected to improve. Their focus on refining oval racing skills could prove decisive in his rookie campaign as the playoffs approach, marking a pivotal stage in his NASCAR career.