- Van Gisbergen holds 14th in points with consistent top-15 finishes on ovals.
- Kiwi currently outranks Ross Chastain by 38 points after seven rounds.
- SVG’s sixth-place finish in Atlanta highlights his rapid development.
What can an Aussie Supercars champion really achieve in NASCAR, a discipline where even proven names like Marcos Ambrose and open-wheel stars such as Kimi Raikkonen struggled to deliver fully? For many, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning 2023 Chicago debut win felt more like an outlier than a sign of things to come.
But, seven races into the 2026 season, that perception is already beginning to change emphatically. Not because SVG has suddenly become dominant, but because he’s doing something arguably more important, he’s becoming consistent, especially in ovals. And in a Trackhouse Racing camp still searching for rhythm, that consistency is starting to shift the internal pecking order.
Van Gisbergen vs Chastain: NASCAR sees a shift at Trackhouse Racing
For much of last year, van Gisbergen’s oval performances were viewed through a developmental lens. While the Kiwi sensation showcased speed and got the results (five thumping wins) to boast, his oval appearances still came short. That has now started to change in 2026.
Through the opening stretch, the No. 97 driver has quietly pieced together a run of solid oval finishes: sixth at Atlanta, 11th at Phoenix, 14th at Darlington, and 11th again at Martinsville. Although none of those results demand a headline on their own, together, they paint a clear picture. SVG isn’t just clinging on at these tracks anymore; he’s right in the mix.
In fact, what stands out isn’t just his finishes. He’s now running longer stretches inside the top 10, picking up stage points, and most importantly, keeping the car clean. That’s a critical step for any driver transitioning into full-time Cup competition, especially one coming from a different discipline.
The improvement becomes even more noticeable when placed alongside his Trackhouse Racing teammates. Ross Chastain, often seen as the benchmark for the organization, has struggled to find consistency early in the season. Meanwhile, rookie standout Connor Zilisch is navigating the expected growing pains of his first full Cup campaign.
Building a foundation on ovals
That leaves van Gisbergen in an unexpected position, not just as a contributor, but as the team’s most reliable performer week in and week out.
In essence, it’s more than just a significant shift. Just months ago, SVG’s value to Trackhouse was largely tied to road courses, where he was expected to contend for wins. Now, he’s building a foundation on ovals that could make him a factor across the entire schedule.
All in all, the 36-year-old has two top-10s and a top-five, along with six laps led and 174 points through seven races, good enough for 14th in the standings. In contrast, his No. 1 teammate, Chastain, sits 18th with one top-10 and a top-five, totaling 136 points, despite leading 30 laps.
As for Zilisch, the 19-year-old has endured a tougher start, with DNFs at Atlanta and Phoenix dropping him to 33rd in the standings. As the numbers suggest, the picture is clear: van Gisbergen is no longer just learning the ropes; he’s closing the gap and starting to outperform Chastain on ovals.
‘He’s outrunning them’ – Denny Hamlin calls out SVG’s rise at Trackhouse
On his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin didn’t hesitate when discussing van Gisbergen’s recent form. In fact, his takeaway was simple and telling. SVG, in his view, isn’t just improving. He’s outperforming expectations within his own team, but, as he notes, the story goes beyond in-team comparisons.
“He’s outrunning his teammates,” Hamlin said. “He’s been one of the lead Trackhouse cars.”
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who spent nearly two decades in NASCAR’s premier series, certainly is a better judge of who is maximizing their equipment. “The story is more that he’s outrunning Ross, and he’s been one of the lead Trackhouse cars. Now, Trackhouse is not on fire right now. Not great, but he’s making the most of it.”
“Obviously, he’s doing a great job continuing to develop, and he appears to be getting the most out of those race cars,” Hamlin added.
By its own standards, Trackhouse hasn’t started 2026 on the strongest footing. The raw pace hasn’t always been there, and the results have reflected that inconsistency. But within that context, SVG’s performances stand out even more.
‘Every lap, part of the learning curve’
He’s making the most of what he’s got. When the car’s quick, SVG is right there in the top 10. And when it’s not, he’s still hanging around the top 15, keeping himself in the mix, still collecting valuable stage points.
Furthermore, Hamlin also highlighted another key element, development. For a driver like van Gisbergen, every lap on an oval is still part of the learning curve. But the speed at which he’s adapting has clearly caught the attention of even his rivals.
At Atlanta’s AutoTrader 400, SVG delivered his best oval result yet with a sixth-place finish, another step forward. It’s still early, but momentum matters, and right now, he’s building it the hard way, on tracks that were supposed to expose him.
