Racing for Glory: Shane van Gisbergen's Take on NASCAR's Playoff Drama

A Top Racer's Perspective

The Good and the Bad

Shane van Gisbergen, a top racer in NASCAR, has some strong thoughts about the current playoff system. He knows it's tough, but he also sees the good in it.

"I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the playoffs."

This means he believes the current system gave him a chance to shine.

Room for Improvement

But he's not all for it. He thinks there might be room for some tweaks. For example, he wishes the final race wasn't the only decider. He suggests maybe three or four races could decide the champion instead. This way, it's not all on one race.

A Pet Peeve

Shane also has a beef with a small but annoying part of the race. He hates when drivers start their engines and then turn them off to save fuel. He thinks it's silly and ruins the excitement. He wants NASCAR to make a rule that keeps engines running for at least 30 seconds before the race starts.

The Playoff System: Pros and Cons

The playoff system has its ups and downs. On one hand, it makes the second half of the season more exciting. More drivers have a shot at the title, and sponsors get more attention. But on the other hand, it can be stressful for the drivers. Shane is okay with keeping the playoff system but wants to see some changes.

The Next-Gen Car

The Next-Gen car has also changed the game. Drivers now have to save fuel, which means they can't go full throttle at the start. This makes passing harder, especially on superspeedways. Shane misses the old days when racing was more about speed and less about fuel management.