Shane van Gisbergen pulled off yet another stunning result at Sonoma, leading 74 of 110 laps and showing his prowess at road courses. While there is hardly anyone more experienced in such tracks than SVG, it might not save his season, going into the Chase. At least this is what NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi thinks.

On Monday's episode of "The Teardown" podcast, Bianchi discussed SVG's situation with co-host and reporter Jeff Gluck.

"With no road courses left now, there's no chance," Bianchi said about SVG's playoff chances. "I mean, it's just like he can have a good run, or how we saw that at Charlotte and some other places, but consistent over what eight races left? That's a really tall task, and I just don't see that happening."

With two wins and a podium at road courses and two Top Fives on ovals, SVG climbed up on the championship ladder and is currently sitting in 14th place after 18 races. However, with only ovals remaining for the final eight-race stretch, trouble looms.

"This (SVG's place in the Top 16 Chase bubble) could be gone as soon as next week, to be honest with you," Bianchi added. "I mean, I don't, we wouldn't be shocked. I mean, you know, sure, you can go to Atlanta, have a good day, and Daytona is still out there too, but it's just at the end of the day, I just don't feel confident at all. I don't, I do not change my stance, but I do not think he makes the Chase."

Currently, SVG has a 24-point cushion over Austin Cindric, who is on the edge of the Chase bubble in 16th. However, hundreds of points are up for grabs on the remaining ovals, which are SVG's weak link in NASCAR.

What Shane van Gisbergen feels about playoffs format change

In 2025, Shane van Gisbergen won five road course races but struggled on ovals. But since the 'win-and-in' format was still active, he got into the playoffs.

However, with the playoff format change this year, his victories don't mean anything in the context of The Chase. Consistency is needed across track types, and SVG wants to earn that a playoff berth this season.

"I really want to earn my way in this year, and that’s what you have to do," he told the Associated Press in April. "I know that we need to get a lot better as a team, and I still need to improve a lot as a driver."

As things stand, the Trackhouse Racing driver has yet to master the ovals, something drivers like Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, or Ryan Blaney have done over the years.

With NASCAR heading to Chicagoland this weekend after six years, it could be where SVG capitalizes on his Sonoma momentum for an oval breakthrough.

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Written by

Sabyasachi Biswas

Edited by

Yash Kotak