The season’s rookie sensation, Trackhouse Racing’s Shane Van Gisbergen, has won a rookie record four races and boasts the two largest margins of victory in race wins this year (Mexico City and Watkins Glen, N.Y.).
But the former Australian Supercars champion finds himself ranked 14th of the 16 Playoff drivers—15 points below the cutoff line that will determine which 12 drivers continue a championship run following Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The New Zealander said the half-mile Bristol high banks have been some of the most challenging racing he’s faced since becoming a full-time NASCAR competitor last season.
He finished 38th at Bristol this Spring in his only previous NASCAR Cup Series start at the track—his No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet retiring early with a suspension problem. He was 18th in his only other Bristol start in last year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event.
“Pretty level at the moment, we know it’s not going to be easy, just haven’t been good enough the last couple weeks,” Van Gisbergen said of his outlook for the weekend with so much on the line.
“Need to put together a solid night if we’re to have any chance. I really struggled here at the first (race), so tried to study and prep the best I can and hopefully have a good night (Saturday). This is probably the hardest track for me driving with the way the banking is and how close it is, how short the lap is. It’s a world away from anything I’ve ever done.
“Just knowing I’ve got a good team around me. The car looks really good, and the prep’s been really good. I know as a team we can be really competitive here. The weakness is me, but I’ve done everything I can this week to try and be the strength.”
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