New Zealand NASCAR driver Shane Van Gisbergen. Photo: Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire / photosport
New Zealand driver Shane van Gisbergen admits he faces a big challenge to progress through the Nascar play-offs.
The 36 year old qualified for the top-16 driver play-offs by virtue of his four wins this season.
His four wins were all on road courses, Mexico, Chicago, Sonoma and Watkins Glen, while he also finished sixth at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
His best result on an oval was a 12th, although in the last two rounds he finished 14th and 16th.
All but one of the last 10 races of the season are on ovals.
Van Gisbergen believes they have the potential to advance through the rounds but admits the first three races will be tough.
"Three very difficult tracks for us, so it is not going to be easy that's for sure," van Gisbergen told RNZ.
"We've just got to keep doing what we've been doing and I don't feel we're putting any pressure on ourselves for these next few races.
"We've just got to keep our heads down and we might get through to the next round."
SVG will find it tough. Van Gisbergen drove in the second-tier competition in 2024 before debuting in the elite stock car series this year.
Despite his growing experience van Gisbergen said oval racing was still something he was coming to terms with.
"It's a world away from anything I've ever done, it's like a completely different sport.
"These guys have been doing it for so long and all they've ever done is ovals so it takes time to learn new skills."
However, his Trackhouse Racing team obviously has confidence in him after they signed a new multi-year deal in August.
As the only rookie in the play-offs, van Gisbergen is set to be named Nascar Rookie of the Year.
New Zealand NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen. Photo: Supplied / Daylon Barr Photography / RED BULL
Nascar play-offs
There are 10 races to finish the season with those divided into four rounds.
All drivers compete in the races, but just the play-off field are in contention for the overall title.
Drivers' points will be carried through with the bottom four (play-off drivers) dropping out of contention after each round.
The round of 16 consists of races in South Carolina, Illinois and Tennessee. The top 12 stay alive for races in New Hampshire, Kansas and North Carolina.
The top eight races are in Las Vegas, Talladega and Virginia.
The champion will be crowned after the finale (with four play-off drivers) in Phoenix in early November.
Play-off standings
1 Kyle Larson Chevrolet +26
2 William Byron Chevrolet +26
3 Denny Hamlin Toyota +23
4 Ryan Blaney Ford +20
5 Christopher Bell Toyota +17
6 Shane Van Gisbergen Chevrolet +16
7 Chase Elliott Chevrolet +7
8 Chase Briscoe Toyota +4
9 Bubba Wallace Toyota +2
10 Austin Cindric Ford +2
11 Ross Chastain Chevrolet +1
12 Joey Logano Ford +1
13 Josh Berry Ford -1
14 Tyler Reddick Toyota -1
15 Austin Dillon Chevrolet -2
16 Alex Bowman Chevrolet -5
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