Kevin Harvick Confronts Van Gisbergen at Dover Trackhouse Decision
Shane van Gisbergen's Challenges at Dover and the Road Ahead
Shane van Gisbergen, known as SVG, had high hopes for his performance at the recent race in Dover. He managed to qualify in the top ten, showing promise as he aimed to prove himself among the top competitors in NASCAR’s more traditional oval tracks. However, his race didn’t go as planned. From the start, he faced a setback when a punctured tire left him behind the pace before he could even begin to compete.
SVG’s struggles were evident throughout the race, and even Kevin Harvick, a former Cup Series champion, acknowledged that Trackhouse Racing may have mishandled the situation. Harvick believes that the team failed to give their driver a fair chance to recover and get back into contention.
“I think some of this is just oval inexperience,” Harvick said on the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour. “Ultimately, it sounded like they had a flat right-front tire. I think when you look at the pit stop, you’re coming to a competition caution. Let’s just minimize the damage and assess it at that point, then change the tires and send him back out. His feedback on the radio was, ‘Hey, I’ve got something broken in the front end,’ and ultimately it was a flat tire. But I think they should have just changed the tires right there instead of losing four laps.”
Harvick added that losing two laps at worst would have given SVG a better chance to fight back and get back on the lead lap. “It sucks for those No. 88 guys. Qualifying good, starting at the front of the pack. There’s a lot of enthusiasm about what he’s done. But he doesn’t even get a chance to really fire off in the race.”
Despite the setback, SVG has had some positive results this season. With three wins under his belt, he’s in a unique position where he can focus on learning and improving on ovals ahead of the playoffs. This gives him the luxury of not having to take unnecessary risks to secure better finishes.
Still, pride plays a role in SVG’s motivation. The New Zealander is determined to prove he can succeed on tracks that aren’t road courses. While he’s clearly the standout performer when the Cup Series makes right turns, this advantage alone might not be enough to win a title under the current playoff format.
This weekend’s event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway could be a turning point for van Gisbergen. During his only race there in the Xfinity Series in 2024, SVG finished in fourth place, ahead of several more experienced drivers on ovals. Riley Herbst won that race, but SVG’s performance suggested he might be better suited for success on the track.
Of course, this result could mean little in the context of NASCAR’s top-tier competition. However, if SVG wants to prove he has what it takes on traditional tracks, he’ll need to compete against the best.
Kevin Harvick will be watching closely this weekend at Indianapolis. Whether Trackhouse Racing can make up for the issues at Dover or if more disappointment lies ahead remains to be seen. The next few races will be crucial in determining whether van Gisbergen can truly establish himself as a contender on ovals.