The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol was always going to be a litmus test for Shane van Gisbergen. Entering his rookie NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, the New Zealander carried momentum from multiple road course wins. However, he sat below the cutline heading into Bristol, the Round of 16 elimination race. Team owner Justin Marks had foreshadowed months ago that the opening round, featuring Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol, would be the steepest hurdle for his driver. Weeks later, his prophecy has turned into the truth as SVG recently swallowed the harsh truth at the Last Great Colosseum.

Marks’ comments were not empty of optimism, though. Ahead of the playoffs, he said, “The hope is that it accumulates enough playoff points,” referring to SVG’s road course victories that could help the

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