Despite Mexico win, SVG says “I need to keep getting better to justify” Cup ride

When Shane van Gisbergen crossed the finish line in Mexico City, he was over 16 seconds clear of runner-up finisher Christopher Bell in the biggest margin of victory in any NASCAR Cup race since the 2009 season.

He once again showcased his otherworldly abilities as a road course ace, but in the end, road courses only make up six of the 36 races on the Cup schedule, and just one in the playoffs.

“That’s why I’m here, to win road races,” said van Gisbergen. “But I’m not here to run last on the ovals either. I need to keep getting better to justify being a Cup Series driver. I need to be performing on the ovals, too.

“I feel like we’re really making strides, but yeah, this is what I’m here to do, make the playoffs, put another Trackhouse car in the playoffs, and yeah, can’t wait to do the victory lunch during the week at Trackhouse and just see how stoked everyone is there.

“You see the effort everyone puts in, and they don’t get the glory. They’re just stuck at the shop. I love taking that and sharing that moment with them during the week.”

Always improving on ovals

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

SVG’s year got off to a slow start with six finishes of 31st or worst in the first eight oval races. However, he has shown a dramatic improvement in recent weeks with three top 20s in the last four races — as well as a pole position in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro.

“I am getting better and more competitive on ovals,” noted SVG. “I said earlier, my average oval running position has gone from 85th to 10th to 20th or 10th to 15th on a good day. Like we’re really making a lot of progress and sort of not been forcing. I’ve been methodical, got better every got better every week, and it’ll been really fun working with my #88 crew all year, but the last couple of months, yeah, it’s been great to show some improvement and be competitive.”

Van Gisbergen’s best showing on ovals actually came with Kaulig Racing last fall at Martinsville, finishing 12th. His best showing this year was 14th in the Coca-Cola 600. While learning ovals in the Xfinity Series, he finished as high as third at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

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