Kevin Harvick Makes Bold Playoff Run Prediction over Shane Van Gisbergen

NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick reckoned that Shane van Gisbergen has everything going for him in the Playoffs.

Kevin Harvick Makes Bold Playoff Run Prediction over Shane Van Gisbergen

Kevin Harvick and Shane van Gisbergen (Via IMAGO and @sonoma/X)

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NASCAR is soon about to head into the Playoffs. V8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen is one of the drivers who have secured a spot in the business end of the tournament. While the Kiwi driver is usually seen as a threat only at road courses, NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick believes that Gisbergen can be a standout driver this time around.

Shane van Gisbergen has delivered consistent performances in the Cup Series this year. The Trackhouse Racing star won the inaugural race in Mexico City, and has dominated on a couple of tracks including Chicago. Though, such road courses have always been his strength, Gisbergen has made improvements when it comes to ovals. At last weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway, the Kiwi driver finished in P14, not a bad result.

The Richmond race caught the eye of Kevin Harvick. The 49-year-old claimed that if Shane van Gisbergen could just hold on to such a result in the first race of the Playoffs, he could easily make it to the second round. Moreover, if Gisbergen can manage to stay consistent and stay in the fight till the ROVAL 400 in Charlotte, he could indeed win the title. So much so, that Harvick reckoned that Gisbergen would be the favorite if he makes it to the second round.

I think that P15-18, P19th average running, finishing position in a round will typically advance you through the first round. So, if he can get those P14, P15th finishes in the first round, with the points that he has earned, he could make it through that first round. Why would you bet against him? Why would you not pick him on a road course? I don’t know. Why would he not be the favorite for the ROVAL, if he makes it to the second round.

Kevin Harvick said on Happy Hour podcast.

The ROVAL 400 is an iconic race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race uses a combination of the oval and road course track layouts, giving fans the best of both worlds.

NASCAR pundit predicted Shane van Gisbergen would ‘figure out’ ovals

Shane van Gisbergen is undoubtedly the strongest when it comes to road courses. The Trackhouse Racing star has immense experience on such tracks courtesy of his success in Australia’s V8 Supercars series. However, his improvements at speedways indicate that he could cause an upset in the Playoffs this time around.

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

Harvick’s co-host Mamba Smith recalled that at the start of the year, he had a feeling that Shane van Gisbergen might make it to the Top 8 in the Playoffs. He pointed out that all the Kiwi driver needed to do was to figure out how to compete at ovals.

Smith knew that Gisbergen would win a couple of road courses, which would put him in the perfect position for the Playoffs. Mamba Smith was shocked that the Supercars champion had made such progress despite not even making his 100th start in the series yet.

At the beginning of the year, we talked about what we thought this season might turn into for different people. When we were talking about SVG, I said I almost have him going through the Round of Eight…He’s going to win a couple of road courses. I feel like he would figure out the ovals. It’s getting closer to that. Like, I’m not going to stamp my name on it, but like he’s — they’re getting better. He doesn’t even have 100 NASCAR starts, period.

Mamba Smith said on Happy Hour podcast.

Certainly, Shane van Gisbergen could be the dark horse for the 2025 Cup Series title. The Kiwi driver has done everything right so far, and has stayed out of needless trouble. If Gisbergen can manage to remain consistent on speedways once Playoffs begin, he could indeed emerge as a Cup champion.

Read More: Kyle Busch’s Three-Year-Old Daughter Dumps Chase Elliott and Makes Shane Van Gisbergen Her “New boyfriend”