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Strong start to Playoffs for van Gisbergen

Shane Van Gisbergen

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 31 August 2025

Shane van Gisbergen has started his rookie NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs campaign on the front foot in Darlington as Will Brown and Jack Perkins are ready to race.

Van Gisbergen has secured a top-20 start for tomorrow’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, where the Playoffs begin.

Whilst Denny Hamlin has secured pole with a 28.694s time, SVG’s lap was 0.529s adrift.

Importantly, the Kiwi will start ahead of two other Playoff rivals in Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman in 21st and 29th, respectively.

It is an impressive rise from the Trackhouse Racing Kiwi as he was 32nd in practice.

The race kicks off at 8.00 AEST Monday morning.

Whilst van Gisbergen is racing in South Carolina, former Supercars rivals Jack Perkins and Will Brown are over on the west coast in Oregon, competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The two Aussies are taking on the fast-flowing Portland International Raceway, where SVG was victorious last year.

Perkins is leading the charge and will start 12th on the grid, having set the third quickest time in his qualifying group.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was lucky to secure the spot, given he had a wild off-track moment.

Perkins found the grass on entry to a right-hander, which sent him into a high-speed spin, but he got away with it without damage.

Unfortunately, Brown will have a fight on his hands as he will start last after experiencing gearbox issues.

The reigning Supercars champion was 25th in practice behind the wheel of the #11 Kaulig Racing and has battled to find his feet.

The race is about to begin with Connor Zilisch to make his comeback from his infamous broken collarbone off pole.

It is being screened live on Fox Sports/Kayo.

Image: Daylon Barr / Red Bull Content Pool

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