SVG Feels the Pressure in NASCAR 2025 Chase Battle

Shane van Gisbergen admits the pressure is building. The Trackhouse Racing driver sits just 47 points above the cut-off line with three races left in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.

A year-on-year change from the "Playoffs" to the "Chase" format means the top 16 drivers in points will qualify for the elimination races. Without the win-and-you're-in protection, van Gisbergen knows he must finish strong.

His Cup Series program continues this weekend at Richmond, followed by New Hampshire and Daytona. Three tracks he knows will be tough.

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"Making the Chase has certainly been a focus of ours this year, trying to maximise every weekend and score points," said Shane van Gisbergen, as reported by Speedcafe. "We have a good shot to make it in at the moment, but these next three weekends are going to be tough, a lot of pressure."

"We can't afford to have another bad race. It will certainly put us in a bad spot," he added. "It's been good to focus on that every week and put the best car we can together. Hopefully we are able to keep us in the top 16."

The battle behind him is heating up. Austin Cindric from Team Penske is the first driver above the cut-off in 16th, 29 points clear. Ryan Preece from RFK Racing is the first on the outside, 29 points behind in 17th.

Hope from Iowa

Van Gisbergen's teammate Ross Chastain draws optimism from a strong run at Iowa. He sits 18th, 47 points below the line. "It's just about the speed," Chastain said. "Points come with speed, especially at these tracks. At Iowa, strategy played a part, but we could play it straight until the final stage."

Van Gisbergen finished 14th in his only Richmond start last year. Short tracks have been his strength, highlighted by a fifth at North Wilkesboro. "It's general improvement. Going back to tracks more often and learning them," he explained. "We lack a bit on bigger tracks, but I need to get better too."

At Richmond, SVG will have backing from Mitti, Safety Culture's new operating system.