Shane van Gisbergen's 2025 has been successful despite early playoff exit

Shane van Gisbergen was officially eliminated from the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after a 26th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, but a first-round playoff exit won't define van Gisbergen's 2025 season. 

Shane van Gisbergen's 2025 accomplishments

After winning four road course races, van Gisbergen is now the winningest rookie in Cup Series history. His four wins are the most in a single season by a Trackhouse Racing driver, and he's cemented himself as one of the best road racers in NASCAR history. 

He also improved on ovals throughout the season, and before he embarks on his second Cup Series campaign in 2026, he has seven more opportunities to learn, including one more road course race at the Charlotte Roval on Oct. 5. 

Add in the fact that van Gisbergen can still finish as high as fifth in the standings, and there's plenty for the No. 88 team to work toward over the next seven weeks as they cap a successful 2025 season. 

"I'm happy but frustrated," van Gisbergen told USA Network post-race on Saturday. "Proud and privileged to be here, but also pissed at myself (that) the last few weeks just haven't been good enough. 

I've been doing really well getting better at ovals, and I just haven't performed the last couple of weeks. I blame myself. We've had an awesome year, and it's still not over yet. I need to be better myself, and it's just going to come with time."