SVG was having another impressive showing on ovals this weekend, but his day ended in the garage
Driving a special New Zealand-themed paint scheme, Shane van Gisbergen continues his rapid oval progression at the Cup level.
After earning his first stage points on an oval at New Hampshire Motor Speedway three weeks ago, he went to Kansas the next week and earned his first top ten.
As expected, he then won the Charlotte Roval for his fifth win of the season (all on road and street courses), before NASCAR returned to the ovals for Las Vegas this weekend.
In a car wrapped in the silver fern and featuring several nods to his homeland, the Kiwi started 13th, out-qualifying both of his Trackhouse Racing teammates. During the race, he maintained a presence in the front half of the field, finishing 12th in Stage 1 and 11th in Stage 3.
A shot at a career-best finish ends in a crash
He appeared set for a top 15 finish, but after William Byron's violent wreck with just over 30 laps to go, No. 88 crew chief Stephen Doran was among those who rolled the dice in Vegas. He took just two fresh tires on the right side, vaulting him up into sixth for the restart.
The field quickly fanned out three-wide, and there was a coming together of the worst kind. Ty Gibbs went up the middle to follow Alex Bowman, just as Christopher Bell was peeking to the inside of SVG. As he was squeezed, Bell turned the No. 54 of Gibbs and the No. 88 of SVG into one another, triggering a multi-car accident.
Van Gisbergen spun down the track where he was hit by both Austin Dillon and his Trackhouse teammate, Ross Chastain. Neither driver had anywhere to go as SVG's car ricocheted back up the track, collecting Carson Hocevar as well.
SVG's race was over, ending on Lap 245 of 267. He was credited with a 33rd-place finish.
There's contact on the restart, and multiple cars go spinning. pic.twitter.com/L8hV6gV8SN
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 13, 2025
"Frustrating end to the day," said SVG after being released from the infield care enter. "My 88 Jockey Chevy was so good there at the start, then towards the end it was a bit tight but we were still in a position to get a good finish. Wish our result would’ve shown the race we had. Proud of my 88 team for bringing another rocket ship.”
NASCAR said the following eleven drivers were involved in the crash, making it one of the biggest Cup wreck in Las Vegas history: Van Gisbergen, Gibbs, Chastain, A. Dillon, Hocevar, Ware, Bell, Chase Elliott, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, and A.J. Allmendinger.
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Category: General Sports
