Shane van Gisbergen secured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory on October 5, 2025, at the Charlotte Roval, dominating the Bank of America ROVAL 400 in a performance that showcased his road course expertise. [1][2] The Trackhouse Racing driver held off championship contenders Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell to claim the checkered flag in the Round of 12 playoff finale. [3][4] The race also featured dramatic final lap chaos between Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin that shaped the playoff picture, allowing Joey Logano to advance to the Round of 8. [5][6]
Van Gisbergen Dominates Charlotte Roval
The New Zealand native led 25 of 109 laps and executed a flawless race strategy to earn his maiden Cup Series triumph. [1] Van Gisbergen started the race from the 27th position but quickly worked his way through the field, taking the lead during the final stage. [2][7]
It was really exciting racing with Kyle and Christopher, van Gisbergen said after the race. I thought I lost it at the start of Stage 3, but the adjustments we made to the car were perfect. It was just fun out there. [4] The victory marked a significant milestone for the driver who transitioned to NASCAR full time in 2024 after a successful career in Australian Supercars. [8]
Race Performance and Strategy
Van Gisbergen’s winning strategy included strong pit stops and precise tire management throughout the 109 lap race. [2] His Trackhouse Racing team executed critical adjustments during Stage 3 that allowed him to maintain his lead over Larson and Bell in the closing laps. [3] The driver finished with a comfortable margin over second place finisher Larson. [9]
Top Finishers and Driver Reactions
Kyle Larson crossed the finish line in second place, his best result at the Charlotte Roval in 2025. [4] Our team gave me a great car today, Larson said. Shane was just too strong. We gave it everything we had, but he was the class of the field. [4] Larson’s second place finish helped solidify his position in the playoff standings heading into the Round of 8. [6]
Christopher Bell rounded out the podium in third place after battling with Larson throughout the final stage. [4][9] Bell acknowledged van Gisbergen’s dominance, stating he struggled to match the pace of the race winner. [4] Chris Buescher finished fourth, while Michael McDowell secured fifth place. [9]
Mid Pack Finishers
Chase Elliott finished eighth and felt satisfied with his performance despite a challenging race strategy. [4][10] It felt solid for where we were at, Elliott said. The strategy did not go our way, but I thought it was a pretty respectable day. [4] Other notable finishers included AJ Allmendinger in sixth and Ty Gibbs in seventh. [9]
Playoff Drama and Final Lap Chaos
The race’s most dramatic moment occurred on the final lap when Ross Chastain made a desperate move on Denny Hamlin in a last ditch effort to gain positions and advance in the playoffs. [5][6] Chastain’s aggressive maneuver resulted in contact with Hamlin, sending Chastain spinning and dropping him to a 21st place finish. [5][9]
I made too many unforced errors today, Chastain said after the race. That final move was all I had left. It did not work out, and I take full responsibility. [4] The incident eliminated Chastain from playoff contention while Hamlin, who was not aware of the full playoff implications at the time, finished 13th. [4][6]
Logano Advances to Round of 8
Joey Logano benefited from the final lap chaos, advancing to the Round of 8 despite finishing 20th. [4][6] This is what the playoffs are all about, Logano said. It is drama, it is intensity, and you have to survive. We did that today. [4] The two time champion joined seven other drivers in moving forward to compete for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. [6][11]
Playoff Standings After Charlotte
Following the Charlotte Roval race, eight drivers advanced to the Round of 8. [6][11] William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Chase Elliott all secured their spots in the next round. [11] The eliminations included Ross Chastain, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe, and Daniel Suarez. [6][11]
The Round of 8 will begin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where drivers will compete for four spots in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. [11] Van Gisbergen’s victory, while not affecting the playoff standings directly since he was not eligible for the playoffs, demonstrated the competitive depth of the Cup Series field. [1][2]
