Kevin Harvick rips Trackhouse decision on Shane van Gisbergen at Dover

Shane van Gisbergen qualified in the top ten at Dover this past weekend, as he looked to prove he can hang with the big boys at NASCAR’s more traditional tracks. However, he never got the chance, as he started the race with a punctured tire that set him behind the pace before he could ever get going.

There wasn’t much SVG could do, and Kevin Harvick recognizes that. The former Cup Series champion believes Trackhouse Racing failed their driver last Sunday, as the No. 88 team didn’t handle the situation in the right way, never truly giving their driver a way to get back into the groove. 

“I think that some of this is just oval inexperience,” Harvick explained, regarding SVG on the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour. “Ultimately, it sounded like they had a flat right-front tire. I think, when you look at the pit stop right here, you’re coming to a competition caution. Let’s just minimize the damage and we’ll assess it at that point, and then just change the tires and send him back out on the racetrack right here. I think that his feedback on the radio was, ‘Hey, I’ve got something broke in the front end,’ and ultimately it was a flat tire. But I think they should have just changed the tires right there, instead of losing four laps. 

“Lose maybe two laps, at worst, and give yourself a chance to at least fight back, to get back on the lead lap. So, sucks right there for those No. 88 guys. Qualifying good, getting able to start at the front of the pack. A lot of enthusiasm about the things that he’s done. Doesn’t even get a chance to really fire off in the race.”

At least SVG can afford a P30 run, like he had at Dover. With three wins on the season, he’s in a unique situation, where he can focus on learning and improving on ovals ahead of the playoffs, instead of pining for better finishes and taking chances to get there.

Still, pride is a factor, and the New Zealander is trying to prove he can get the job done on tracks that aren’t road courses. He’s easily the class of the field when the Cup Series has to make some right turns, but that’ll only get you so far in a chase for a title under this current playoff format.

Perhaps this weekend’s trip to Indianapolis will bode well for van Gisbergen. During his one race there in NASCAR, which came in the Xfinity Series in 2024, SVG finished P4, ahead of many more experienced racers on ovals. Riley Herbst won the race.

That could mean he’s better suited for success this weekend in Indiana. Of course, it could also mean nothing — SVG wasn’t racing against NASCAR’s best, but if he wants to prove he has what it takes at the sport’s more traditional tracks, the Trackhouse Racing star will have to compete.

Time will tell, but Kevin Harvick will have a keen eye on Shane van Gisbergen this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We’ll see if Trackhouse Racing can help make up for what went down at Dover, or if more disappointment is on the horizon for the No. 88 Chevrolet team.