Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand-born driver now competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, has been making noticeable strides on the series’ oval circuits.
Through 14 oval races this season he holds an average finish of 20.9, a marked improvement over the 24.8 he recorded last year, and his climb to 14th in the overall standings has put him in a provisional position for the upcoming Chase.
The Role of Preparation and Qualifying
Crew chief Stephen Doran has underscored that securing a strong starting spot is essential, because once a car is locked into a good position its speed can be preserved for the entire distance.
NASCAR is set to return to Chicagoland Speedway in Illinois after a seven‑year absence, reviving a track that last hosted a Cup event in 2019.
The comeback follows a test session in April during which the series invested more than $5 million in facility upgrades, a move that has generated optimism among teams and fans alike.
Kyle Larson, who finished runner‑up at the previous two races on the 1.5‑mile oval, is among those eyeing a repeat performance, while his recent fourth‑place result at Sonoma Raceway in California marks his fourth straight top‑five finish.
The playoff picture adds another layer of intrigue, as Austin Cindric currently occupies the 16th and final provisional Chase spot, sitting 12 points ahead of Erik Jones, while Joey Logano sits 31 points behind in 20th place and risks missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.