Shane Van Gisbergen has long been proving that he can be competitive in nearly any form of racing discipline. Making his fourth appearance in the Truck Series, SVG stood on the podium, finishing 3rd at North Wilkesboro, which saw points-paying racing action after a long time. 

This was also SVG’s third appearance on an oval. However, unlike the Cup Series, where he drives for Trackhouse Racing, he was teamed up with Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar and Chase Elliott. 

Driving the No. 71 Chevrolet, van Gisbergen started 19th and steadily moved through the field. He finished Stage 1 in 17th place and improved to 14th by the end of Stage 2. After restarting in 10th for the final stage, he continued moving forward and eventually secured a podium finish.

Speaking to Fox Sports after the race, van Gisbergen credited the people and equipment at Spire, saying that these two factors played a big role in his performance. 

“Just time and experience, working with good people. Bono (Manion) did a great job with the truck. Thank you to Spire, National Guard, and Chevy. I had a lot of fun. Once I figured it out, I kind of learned my own line and started working forward, and really enjoyed myself.” 

SVG’s podium finish quickly caught fans' attention because it came in different machinery from his regular Cup ride. Van Gisbergen has shown flashes of speed in the Cup Series this season, especially on road courses, but has often struggled to get similar results on ovals. 

Should Trackhouse switch from ECR Engines? Here’s how fans feel

The official X account of BrakeHard Blog shared an interesting post, stating that Trackhouse really needs to step up its performance to provide SVG with a competitive car.

The post read, “Put SVG in competitive equipment, and you see what he can do. Trackhouse needs to stop bringing tractors to the track each weekend.”

Responding to this, renowned NASCAR journalist Toby Christie poked fun at Trackhouse’s sponsorship, saying, “But it fits well with the Kubota sponsorship.” 

Another user feels that the image around SVG’s oval struggles is driven by Trackhouse cars' performance. They said, “Tired: SVG can't run ovals...Dude knows how to drive, that narrative that he's inexperienced needs to just stop. It's the trackhouse tractors that are and will continue to be the problem.”

Another user then referenced Daniel Suarez’s stint at Trackhouse and compared it with his current stint at Spire Motorsports, where he registered a win this season, saying, “Oh but I thought Daniel wasn’t good enough for a Cup seat - that he’s the weakest link at Trackhouse?”

One more user feels Trackhouse might make the switch from Earnhardt Childress Racing Technologies (ECR) engines soon enough, given SVG’s performances outside the Cup Series. 

They said, “I really think Trackhouse needs to consider moving to a Hendrick partnership instead of the RCR alliance they currently have. And it might be happening, SVG and Connor driving the JRM NOAPS cars and Spire Trucks might be a sign of what is coming down the road.”

What do you think? Is Trackhouse SVG's problem?

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason