Bristol was a brain-racking puzzle to crack. Already, drivers banked on good finishes in Darlington and Gateway to head to the unpredictable 0.533-mile short track. With its steep concrete banking and high-speed narrow turns, drivers already had a challenge. But an added challenge came in the form of Goodyear’s successful experiment, with tires ferociously wearing out. These factors proved the final nail in Shane van Gisbergen’s playoff coffin, as Kevin Harvick reflected.

Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, has three victories at Bristol Motor Speedway. However, the veteran, who retired after the 2023 season, has over two decades of experience, whereas SVG only has one. Hence, Harvick offered a mixed response to the Kiwi driver’s recent struggles.

Kevin Harvick sees bright things ahead of the storm 

The three-time Supercars champion has road course racing skills like no other. By the Watkins Glen Cup Series race this year, Shane van Gisbergen had accumulated 8 wins on road courses since 2023. But while his talent bloomed, so did his weakness. SVG has struggled mightily on ovals and short tracks, and despite faint glimmers of improvement, he still has a long path to tread. That gap was glaringly visible in Bristol, where he spent the first half of the race complaining of a tight No. 88 Camaro. In the second half, a number of incidents turned it loose. This prompted Kevin Harvick to compare SVG with another unfortunate driver: “I don’t know who spun out more, him or Cole Custer.”

On lap 238, SVG was hit by William Byron; then on lap 269, Austin Dillon set off SVG’s second spin of the night. These situations elicited cuss words from a usually calm SVG, further highlighting his desperate efforts to pass the Round of 16. Kevin Harvick reflected on the Kiwi’s struggles: “For SVG, it’s tough to get into these scenarios where you’re trying to save tires, do things, where to run on the racetrack; you think you can run up a groove, but as soon as you get in there, the front end’s plowed and you’ve got no grip. And the guy behind you is like, Uh, you’re in the way, why’d you slow down that much – as you saw with William Byron right there. And they just shove you out of the way.”

Eventually, SVG finished in 26th place and bowed out of the playoffs. However, Kevin Harvick also outlined an optimistic path, considering SVG’s four-win rookie year already being a success. Harvick said, “In these situations, you gotta learn the techniques of what happens in these types of races. I think, being involved in that and understanding what to do, he’s a quick learner. And will go back and analyze it and understand what to do. That’s a lot to take in.” The veteran continued, highlighting the No. 88 team’s ability to adapt: “I think the learning curve, the qualifying, the improvement in speed on the ovals have definitely been headed in the right direction.” 

Therefore, Kevin Harvick believes in the Kiwi’s progress. As Shane van Gisbergen moves on from his Bristol fallout, he also focuses on his team’s success.

Saving the other Trackhouse car

Well, if SVG cleared the first round, he had a relief waiting for him. Shane van Gisbergen was looking forward to entering the Charlotte Roval race. Sadly, the New Zealander could not reach the type of track where his rivals fear him the most. However, the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing driver has a task now – to aid the No. 1 team advance through the Round of 12. Ross Chastain won the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, but has been on a cool streak in the last few races. He notched his last top ten finish at Watkins Glen and somehow pulled through the Round of 16 with a 19th-place finish in Bristol.

Now, Ross Chastain has a better chance. He scored a win at Kansas Speedway, the site of the upcoming race, and has not been horrible in New Hampshire. Plus, SVG is here to help him at the final Round of 12 race in the Charlotte Roval, as the Kiwi said, “Yeah, I’ll do everything I can prep-wise, help him [Chastain] study, and now the priority for our team is to get the 1 through to the next round and to the finals. I’m happy to help him.” 

Shane van Gisbergen also has something to look forward to for himself. Positions five through 16 in the final standings are up for grabs for any playoff driver who does not make it all the way to the final round. As no foreign-born driver has ever placed higher than eighth in the championship standings at the Cup level, it is time for SVG to break some records again.

Let us see how the Kiwi driver fares. With Kevin Harvick’s optimistic opinion about SVG’s rookie season, the latter’s sophomore season will probably be fantastic.