Just because Shane van Gisbergen is an acknowledged road course ace, don’t readily dismiss his chances to make a mark in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, which include one road course and six oval tracks.
The New Zealander has raced on three ovals that will appear in the Playoffs—Talladega (Round 1), Las Vegas (Round 2) and Phoenix (Championship 4).
On the three new tracks (Kansas, Homestead and Martinsville), he’ll use the same approach that has served him well in the regular season—spending the first half of a race getting the feel for the track and the second half trying to move forward.
“I’ve just been thinking that I want to race like I have been—keep doing my best, stay out of trouble and keep scoring points,” said van Gisbergen, who starts the Playoffs fifth in the standings, 10 points above the cut line on the strength of three road course victories and two stage wins.
“When it comes to that time, are you going to feel the pressure? How are you going to be under it? I don’t know the answer yet, but I’m looking forward to finding out.”
