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Shane Van Gisbergen Exposes 'Craziest Part' of Oval racing

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Aditya Pandya | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 1:14 PM ET

Shane van Gisbergen emerged as one of the better drivers on the NASCAR grid in the 2025 season. Despite being a rookie this year, he achieved five coveted race wins, all of which came on road course races. Gisbergen even achieved the rookie of the year title following his dominant performance. However, the Kiwi has failed to amass any notable results on the Oval circuits as he ponders over the craziest part of the short circuit setup.

Shane van Gisbergen‘s best finish on an Oval circuit in the 2025 season is only a mediocre P10 finish at the Kansas Speedway back in September. The Kiwi was poised for a great P5 finish, if not better, at Las Vegas, if it wasn’t for the late-race wreck involving multiple drivers. Despite having a great racing talent on Street course circuits, Gisbergen has failed to bridge the skill gap in racing on the short Oval tracks.

As such, Shane van Gisbergen took to X to share his experience of racing on Ovals and pondered over the craziest part of such circuits. Gisbergen insisted that pushing his car to the maximum limit at speeds of over 310 kmph (190 mph) and missing the apex on purpose just so that an ‘imaginary’ grip strip would save a driver from crashing the car into the wall was unfathomable for the road course master.

Gisbergen continued that hearing the exhaust echo and roar off the walls while he barely managed not to hit the walls was one of the craziest parts of Oval racing for him. The Kiwi has extended experience racing Supercars and has won three world championships in the category, and has better control on road courses. As such, the 36-year-old would definitely come up with much better results in the coming season on Ovals if he manages to control the craziest part about it.

Still one of the craziest parts of oval racing to me, Send it in at 310kph/190mph, missing apex on purpose, heading to the wall hoping an imaginary grip strip/air pocket is going to save you from hitting it, then hearing the exhaust echo on the wall as it holds you off it. Wild!
Shane van Gisbergen said via X, @shanevg97.

Still one of the craziest parts of oval racing to me. Send it in at 310kph/190mph, missing apex on purpose, heading to the wall hoping an imaginary grip strip/air pocket is going to save you from hitting it, then hearing the exhaust echo on the wall as it holds you off it. Wild https://t.co/CYDdXBfiL9
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) October 15, 2025

Shane van Gisbergen reveals the ‘most difficult race’ for him

Shane van Gisbergen became the only rookie to make it into the playoffs following a stellar performance in the 2025 season. Although the Kiwi could not make it up the divisions and make it past the Round of 16, it was still impressive to make the cut in the Top 16. Now, with YellaWood 500 at Talladega up next, Gisbergen revealed how the circuit was notoriously difficult for him and his crew.

Speaking on the upcoming race at the Talladega Superspeedway, Shane van Gisbergen insisted that the circuit was crazy and very different than racing on a traditional oval. Gisbergen reckoned that it was amazing to have a pack of 40 cars racing at speeds of over 320 kmph.

As such, he believed the Talladega circuit to be one of the most difficult races for him to excel on. Regardless, the Kiwi hopes to put on a better show at the upcoming race and end his woeful streak of results on the oval circuit.

It’s crazy and very different than a traditional oval, We are doing 320 kilometers in a pack of 40 cars. It’s amazing how fast we are going, all squeezed together. Talladega is one of the most difficult races that we do. Hopefully this weekend we can prove that we are getting better at that (superspeedway racing) too and get a good result.
Shane van Gisbergen said, as reported by motorsport.com.

The 2025 season is near its completion as the Championship-4 finale at Phoenix is right around the corner. Although SVG isn’t in contention for the championship, he has achieved great results throughout the year. The rookie will definitely put up a fight with the veterans in his sophomore year and hopes to bridge the skill gap in racing around the Ovals.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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