Shane van Gisbergen Shines With 5th-Place Finish at Martinsville

It has been well-documented that Shane van Gisbergen has made significant gains on oval tracks in 2026. The driver of the No. 97 is notorious for being a strong road-course racer has all eight of his NASCAR Cup Series victories have come on the right and left turn tracks.

In Sunday's Xfinity 500 at Martinsville, the New Zealand native showed once again that he is emerging as a strong, all-around driver. The Trackhouse Racing earned a fifth-place finish at "The Paperclip," his best finish at Martinsville and ties his best finish on a short track.

SVG finished fifth at North Wilkesboro Speedway earlier this season.

SVG Comments on Strong Martinsville Finish

SVG spoke to USA Network's Kim Coon after his strong Martinsville showing. Piloting the No. 97 Wendy's Chevrolet, SVG was superstitious about the paint scheme being a good luck charm.

Despite starting 29th, SVG found his way to the front.

"I guess the Wendy's car is good luck. We got another top five with it, so pretty stoked with that. Just an awesome day," SVG said .

SVG said he was "pissed" at himself for the lackluster qualifying lap on Saturday. If he had started closer towards the front, SVG believes they could have had an opportunity for a better result.

Yet, the 37-year-old powered through the 500 laps around the 0.5-mile short track and ended with a quality result to show for it.

"If we started up front, maybe we would've had a better shot. Thanks to the Trackhouse team. All day, we just methodically worked forward and got in a couple little incidents, fixed it up, and got a good result," SVG said.

SVG Ranks Highest Non-Chase Driver in The Standings With One Race Left

With one race remaining in the 2026 season, SVG has the chance to maximize his year after failing to make the Chase. Ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, SVG ranks 17th in the points standings, the highest of the non-Chase field.

SVG carries a 29-point advantage over Trackhouse teammate Ross Chastain into the final race of the season. With two victories this season at Watkins Glen and Sonoma, SVG is the only non-Chase driver with a win this season.

SVG failed to make the Chase in what is his second full-time season of NASCAR competition. Despite having the final position going into the regular-season finale, SVG was bumped out after Ryan Preece won at Daytona to push him into the Chase.