NASCAR Cup Series rookie Schoen Vangisbergen has admitted that despite winning Mexico last weekend, he needs to do a better job justifying his seat in the category.
Van Gisbergen led 100 laps on NASCAR’s first visit to Mexico City, claiming the 16th victory over Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota rival Christopher Bell.
This further highlighted the talent of the driver who won three supercar titles in Australia before switching to North America, following the victory of Kiwi’s sensational debut two years ago, following the victory of his Kiwi’s sensational debut, and before switching to North America.
However, Van Gisbergen is not engrossed in his success with Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. He acknowledges that there is still work to do with eggs to maintain his drive in a trackhouse race in 2026.
“That’s why we’re here to win road races,” Van Gisbergen said. “But I’m not here to run last in the egg shape either. I need to continue to improve to justify being a driver in the Cup Series. I also need to play with the eggs.
“It feels like we’re really progressing, but this is about me being here, making the playoffs and putting another trackhouse car in the playoffs.
“I can’t wait to have a winning lunch the week at Truckhouse.
“You see the efforts that everyone is in and they can’t get the glory. They’re just stuck in the store. I love taking it during that week and sharing the moment with them.”
His Mexican victory tentatively secured a playoff berth, but Van Gisbergen remains far from 30th in the overall standings with just 242 points to his name.
His struggle against eggs is a major limiting factor, with no more than 14 finishes in such a layout this year.
In fact, during his limited time in the Cup Series, including the 2023 and ’24 cameo outings, he has yet to crack the top ten in the oval shape.
Vangisbergen’s first Cup Series victory came on the Chicago Street Circuit, but his victory last weekend came on the same road course used by Formula 1 for the Mexican Grand Prix.
His only other cup series Podium came last year at Watkins Glen, another road course on the oval-dominated calendar.
“I’m getting better with the oval shape and more competitive,” he said. “My average oval running position was from 85th to 10th to 20th and 10th to 15th on a good day.
“We’ve really made a lot of progress and we’re not forced. I’m systematic, getting better every week and working with the No. 88 crew all year round.
“It’s been great to be able to show some improvement over the last few months and be competitive.”
