“That Can’t Be Right!” Richard Petty Gives Bold Verdict on Shane Van Gisbergen’s Playoffs Entry After Mexico win

Richard Petty isn't impressed with NASCAR's current playoff qualifying format as Shane van Gisbergen locks in his spot after Mexican victory.

“That Can’t Be Right!” Richard Petty Gives Bold Verdict on Shane Van Gisbergen’s Playoffs Entry After Mexico win

Shane van Gisbergen (via NASCAR), Richard Petty (via Britannica)

Shane van Gisbergen achieved a stellar victory in Mexico after attaining a lead of over 16.5 seconds against his rivals. The veteran put forth a flawless performance around the road course and secured his spot in the playoffs despite being P30 in the drivers’ standings. Now, with just six spots left and ten races remaining, Richard Petty hits out at the flawed points and playoffs system in NASCAR, which needs changes as it has been complained about by a lot of drivers already.

Shane van Gisbergen had revealed his dislike towards rain-laden races despite being one of the better drivers in the wets. As expected, the inaugural Mexico City race was hit was rainy conditions as Gisbergen put forth his strong suit and achieved a dominant win. The Trackhouse Racing star has now acquired his spots in the playoffs despite winning only one race this season and being P30 in the standings.

The Hall of Famer Richard Petty has now taken a jibe at how unfair and illogical the current playoff system is. Petty highlighted that NASCAR aimed to fix the system by ensuring that every driver who won a race would achieve a spot. However, the seven-time champion believed that this condition isn’t right, as it snubs a lot of good drivers from claiming their spot in the playoffs who are above the 30th spot and do not get in.

The way they got this thing fixed, if you win and you’re in, that can’t be right. From the standpoint that you got somebody, like I say, that’s 30th in the points,that’s going to make the playoffs. Hey, man, what happened to the guy that’s 15th or 16th or 18th?

Richard Petty said on his X account, @richardpetty.

Richard Petty questioned about what happens to the drivers who drive a great race throughout the season but are unable to achieve even a single win throughout the year. Moreover, Petty believes that winning around an Oval and Road Course is completely different as it does not fit in NASCAR’s idea of fighting for the championship. As such, the sport must ensure different criteria to clear it into the playoffs throughout the season.

You know, been running good, finished good everywhere. You’re making a championship situation by winning a road course, which is not really a NASCAR to begin with. So from that standpoint, I think they’re going to have to jockey around and change some of this kind of stuff.

Richard Petty added.

Jeff Gordon asserts NASCAR cannot come back racing in Mexico in 2026

NASCAR is yet to take a final decision on returning to racing in Mexico in the 2026 season, right after the race in Michigan. Notably, the sport will take the grand circus right to Pocono following the road course race overseas. However, despite the Mexican race pulling in impressive numbers, Hendrick Motorsports’ vice chairman Jeff Gordon reckons that the sport cannot return to Mexico in the coming season.

Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen and Chase Elliott at Mexico City race podium (via Getty)
Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen, and Chase Elliott at the Mexico City race podium (via Getty)

The Mexican race put forth massive logistics issues for multiple teams and drivers as they feared missing the race weekend owing to the issues. Jeff Gordon highlights that flying out to Michigan and then hauling the cargo to Mexico, followed by returning to Pocono, is quite the trip. While Gordon accepts that such a situation is exciting, it is bound to wear the teams and drivers out a lot. As such, the sport must make changes and not follow this schedule of back-to-back races in the coming year.

can’t do this…Michigan, Mexico City… back to Pocono can’t happen. We’re doing it and we’re excited to take on the challenge as a team, but it’s gonna wear. I don’t think we can do it back-to-back.

Jeff Gordon said via Frontstretch

The Mexico City race brought a good shift in pace in terms of audience and racing action. The narrow layout of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit allowed the drivers to race extremely close to one another. Now, as Shane van Gisbergen locks in his position, the veteran just has to keep up with impressive performances and prepare for the closing events. For now, Trackhouse Racing and Gisbergen must focus on replicating this week’s performance and moving up the pecking order in the championship.

Read More: Jeff Gordon Warns NASCAR Against Investing Too Much into the Series Going International