Top Dog: Shane van Gisbergen
In the NASCAR Cup Series, races at intermediate tracks have featured less and less natural cautions. Long green flag runs define the race, so for a driver to do well, they must have pace. Strategy can help gain track position, as we saw on Sunday (Oct. 4), but speed is paramount.
Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was more of the same: clean, methodical and strategic racing. The cream, being the high-funded teams, rose to the top, but one driver stood out all day.
In the midst of a slump for Trackhouse Racing, Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Chevrolet, showed speed, running in the top 10 for a large portion of the day and finishing ninth. It was the best finish for the No. 97 team since North Wilkesboro Speedway in mid-July, where van Gisbergen finished fifth.
The Climb to the Top
Van Gisbergen’s weekend did not start out on a promising note. He qualified 25th, deep in the field at a track where clean air is crucial. Still, the Auckland, New Zealand native made up ground early. He drove through the pack, aided by some strategy from a mid-stage caution, and wound up 15th when stage one drew to a close.
As the second stage went on, it was apparent that SVG could hold track position. Stage two had an interestingly-timed caution, with some of the field trying to make it to the stage end without pitting and the others on one more stop. Through the variant strategies, van Gisbergen slightly improved over his stage one position to finish the second frame in 13th.
The speed in the No. 97 camp didn’t falter. With under 70 laps to go, van Gisbergen had cracked the top 10. SVG was in the top 10 when the pit cycle began, but the team elected to run longer than the leaders. The No. 97 pitted from the top five, and when the cycle completed, van Gisbergen was still in the top 10. SVG sealed the deal and wound up ninth at day’s end. It is his fifth top 10 on an oval this season and his best finish in the last 10 races.
Looking Ahead
SVG has become competitive on ovals. Given a solid car, he could become a regular top-10 contender as the team focuses on building for 2027. Trackhouse is having its worst season since 2021, but runs like this give it hope. While it certainly wishes all three of its cars were competitive, it starts with one.
Van Gisbergen remained the highest driver in the points standings outside of The Chase. While there is no award for it, it shows that he is knocking on the door after a heartbreaking elimination in the regular-season finale. The team just needs a bit more speed for 2027.
Van Gisbergen’s teammate, Ross Chastain, has shown flashes of speed in recent races and even on Sunday, but the consistency isn’t there. It is going to be a tough offseason, but a good final few races in 2026 will breathe life into Trackhouse.
Top Dog of the Lower Series:
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Jeremy Clements was on the attack Saturday night (Oct. 3) at Las Vegas. After starting 21st, the No. 51 Chevrolet rocketed through the field, getting to 13th at the end of stage one. Clements even scored a handful of stage points with a fifth-place finish in the second stage.
Clements finished the race in seventh, competing alongside the juggernaut teams of the O’Reilly Series. It is his best finish since Talladega Superspeedway in the spring (fifth) and his best finish at a non-superspeedway since 2022.
Small Team Scheme of the Week
SS GreenLight Racing hit the paint scheme jackpot at Las Vegas. Garrett Smithley’s No. 0 Chevrolet was decorated in a tropical landscape. Purple silhouettes of palm trees were stenciled on the sides, and the river and sunset scene added a bright, gradient contrast. The silver number topped the design off and made it pop. Sponsor Zonie delivered in the delivery department this past weekend.
Smithley, piecing together a part-time schedule in the No. 0 car, finished 25th. Not only is this the scheme of the week, but I would consider it a contender for scheme of the year.
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