Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand racing driver, has had a rough start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. After a disastrous finish in Las Vegas in mid-March, he admitted, “I actually was going pretty good at the start…then we made a bit of a bad adjustment.” Unfortunately, this statement seems to apply to almost all of his races this season.
For someone as successful as van Gisbergen, this has been a surprising turn of events. He has been a dominant force in the Supercars Championship, winning the title three times and consistently finishing in the top three. However, his transition to the NASCAR Cup Series has not been as smooth as expected.
The 2025 season started with high hopes for van Gisbergen. He joined the powerhouse team, Hendrick Motorsports, and was paired with the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr. as his mentor. This was seen as a dream opportunity for van Gisbergen, who has always been a fan of Earnhardt Jr. and his father, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.
But things did not go as planned. Van Gisbergen struggled to adapt to the new car and the different style of racing. He had a few decent finishes in the beginning, but then came the string of bad races. It seemed like every time he was making progress, something would go wrong, and he would end up with a disappointing result.
The most recent example of this was at Talladega, where Earnhardt Jr. publicly expressed his concerns about the “SVG experiment.” Van Gisbergen had a strong start to the race, but a bad adjustment made by the team caused him to fall back in the pack. He was caught up in a wreck and finished in 35th place. This was a huge blow to his confidence and the team’s morale.
But despite the struggles, van Gisbergen remains positive and determined to turn things around. He knows that he has the talent and the support of his team to be successful in the NASCAR Cup Series. He also understands that it takes time to adjust to a new series and a new style of racing.
In an interview after the Talladega race, van Gisbergen said, “I’m not going to give up. I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m willing to put in the work and improve.” This attitude is what makes van Gisbergen a true champion. He is not afraid to admit his mistakes and work hard to overcome them.
And he has the perfect mentor in Earnhardt Jr. The two have formed a strong bond, and Earnhardt Jr. has been a constant source of support and guidance for van Gisbergen. He understands the challenges of transitioning to the NASCAR Cup Series and has been there to offer advice and encouragement.
Van Gisbergen’s struggles in the 2025 season may seem like a setback, but they are also a learning experience. He is gaining valuable knowledge and experience that will only make him a stronger and more competitive driver in the future. And with the support of his team and mentor, he is sure to bounce back and achieve success in the NASCAR Cup Series.
So, let’s not count out Shane van Gisbergen just yet. He may have had a rough start, but he has the determination and talent to overcome any obstacle. As Earnhardt Jr. said, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” And we have no doubt that van Gisbergen will finish strong in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.
