Here’s what Shane van Gisbergen’s debut win at the inaugural Chicago Street Race got him: he became the first driver to do so since Johnny Rutherford in 1963, and the first-ever New Zealander to achieve the feat. Massive for the part-time driver starring on the Cup Series scene in 2023! Now, even as a rookie in 2025, he has only built on that momentum with five consecutive road course wins. But when the driver grinds this hard day in and day out during the season, what does their off-season look like?

The Kiwi was untouchable at the Bank of America Roval 400, as he led a staggering 57 of 109 laps, which etches him into the NASCAR history books. With this streak, SVG is now just one win short of the legendary Jeff Gordon, who pulled off the same run between 1997 and 2000. Now, if he wants to equal Gordon’s record or even surpass him, he needs a plan.

Speaking on the Dale Jr. Download, the three-time Supercars champion is geared up for the postseason, as he said, ” I just keep studying as much as I can. We got good continuity with our team and crew chief, spotter, everyone’s staying on, so that’s really going to help. And um, yeah, I’ll have a good little holiday in New Zealand, do some racing over there, and some uh, old cars and stuff, and then uh yeah, come back here, start getting ready. The season will come around pretty quick again, I bet. ” 

SVG’s triumph at Sonoma marked his fourth Cup Series victory there, and he is now the fastest driver to hit four wins since Parnelli Jones in 1957. He also won the inaugural Mexico City race. For this rookie, the upcoming break is going to taste sweeter than anyone could have imagined.

Wanting to spend time with his friends, SVG added, “We’re doing our big paddock race you do with our friends. So, that’s probably the big race. We build up old cars and go racing, and spend a couple of days in a paddock.”

Moreover, trailing Kyle Busch’s 2016 achievement, he has become the second driver to win both Xfinity and Cup Series races in a single weekend from the pole position. And now SVG can take it easy as the postseason approaches. But before SVG gets ready to kick his feet up, he sounds off on the lack of respect in the Xfinity Series.

SVG didn’t hesitate when asked about the difference between Cup and Xfinity racing, saying, “Oh man, I didn’t even need brakes in that last green-white-checker in Xfinity. The disrespect people had for their equipment was pretty eye-opening.”

Well, there is bound to be some difference driving in a younger field compared to driving with seasoned Cup drivers. However, despite all this, SVG has doubled down on how his team treats him and given a glimpse inside Trackhouse Racing….

Trackhouse Racing’s teamwork powers Shane van Gisbergen’s breakout season

Shane van Gisbergen credits much of his breakout NASCAR season to the remarkable camaraderie at Trackhouse Racing. The spirit of teamwork, resilience, and adaptability has defined the energy driving Trakhouse to its most successful season yet. The numbers speak for themselves.

SVG leads the pack with five wins, while Ross Chastain initially secured his playoff spot with a victory at Charlotte in May. With six wins total, this marks Trackhouse Racing’s winningest season ever, and acknowledging that is the Kiwi driver: “You work with the engineers here and even the pit crew guys, we just had our pit crew meeting and, uh, Kimbrough, our tire carrier, had an issue. So, uh, we had Drew fill in last minute and just how the team rallies together and gets behind everyone.”

But for the 33-year-old, it’s not just about the statistics. He praises the work environment and camaraderie as “a pretty cool fun atmosphere and then had a good little party afterwards.” That joy and shared passion filled their efforts on and off the track. However, the dynamic will look a little different next year with Daniel Suarez leaving and Connor Zilisch filling it out. And SVG, the newborn leader, knows exactly how to handle the young ace.

However, it is the cohesion, from pit stops to quick problem-solving, that has given SVG the confidence and tools to grab victory after victory. And now the driver enters the 2026 season with more confidence than ever.