Shane van Gisbergen caught Kevin Harvick’s eye at Richmond Raceway. Over the weekend, the New Zealander notched a P14 finish, matching his best finish on an oval this season in the NASCAR Cup Series. SVG’s prowess on road courses is well known at this point, but he could make some noise in the playoffs with […]
Shane van Gisbergen caught Kevin Harvick’s eye at Richmond Raceway. Over the weekend, the New Zealander notched a P14 finish, matching his best finish on an oval this season in the NASCAR Cup Series.
SVG’s prowess on road courses is well known at this point, but he could make some noise in the playoffs with a couple solid performances at NASCAR’s more traditional tracks. If he’s still alive come time for the Charlotte ROVAL, Harvick believes the sky is the limit for the Trackhouse Racing wheelman.
“I think that P15-18, P19th average running, finishing position in a round will typically advance you through the first round. So, if he can get those P14, P15th finishes in the first round, with the points that he has earned, he could make it through that first round,” Harvick explained, via Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour.
“Why would you bet against him? Why would you not pick him on a road course? I don’t know. Why would he not be the favorite for the ROVAL, if he makes it to the second round.”
The former Cup Series champion isn’t the only one feeling some positive vibes around SVG. His co-host in Mamba Smith stated his continued belief in van Gisbergen, thinking that he’s only going to continue improving with more and more experience.
“At the beginning of the year, we talked about what we thought this season might turn into for different people. When we were talking about SVG, I said I almost have him going through the Round of Eight,” Smith added. “I said, I feel like he’s going to be able to figure out. He’s going to win a couple of road courses. I feel like he would figure out the ovals. It’s getting closer to that.
“Like, I’m not going to stamp my name on it, but like he’s — they’re getting better. He doesn’t even have 100 NASCAR starts, period.”
With four wins to his name, SVG has certainly given himself a solid cushion heading into the playoffs. He’s hoping to continue gaining experience at NASCAR’s more traditional venues, and this weekend’s trip to Daytona International Speedway should help with that.
One thing is for sure, Shane van Gisbergen is one of the more interesting drivers to watch, amid a muddled championship picture in 2025. If he can continue keeping pace with NASCAR’s best at the ovals, his road course racing prowess could give him a sizable advantage over his competition.
Category: General Sports
