Home Football As Nelly Korda faced one of the lowest points in her career, her loyal fans sent a breathtaking message—floating gently across the sky in a hot air balloon, emblazoned with the words: “WE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU, NELLY.” The unexpected gesture moved her to tears. Moments later, her voice trembling, she looked at the cameras and spoke eight powerful words that stunned the press and left a lasting silence.
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In a shocking twist to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Stephen Doran, the esteemed team principal and crew chief for Trackhouse Racing’s No. 88 Chevrolet, has publicly accused NASCAR and its governing body of manipulating the championship outcome by unfairly targeting driver Shane van Gisbergen. The New Zealander, known as SVG, has taken the racing world by storm with four road-course victories this season, yet Doran claims the sport’s authorities are undermining his driver’s fair-play approach with disproportionately harsh penalties. This explosive allegation has ignited debates across the motorsport community, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and the integrity of NASCAR’s championship process. Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Australian Supercars champion, has been a revelation in his first full NASCAR Cup Series season. After a historic debut win at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, SVG has continued to dominate road courses, securing victories in Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen. His four wins as a rookie—an unprecedented feat in the modern era—have positioned him as a serious contender for the 2025 championship. Currently ranked sixth in the Cup Series points table with 2022 points, SVG has earned 22 playoff points, giving him a buffer as he heads into the Round of 16. However, Doran’s accusations suggest that NASCAR’s actions could jeopardize SVG’s title hopes. In a fiery press conference on August 30, 2025, Doran did not mince words. “Shane’s been racing clean, showing the kind of skill and sportsmanship you’d expect from a champion,” he stated. “Yet NASCAR seems determined to penalize him more severely than his rivals for minor infractions. It’s hard to see this as anything but an attempt to tilt the championship away from him.” Doran’s comments have sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community, with fans and analysts alike speculating about the motives behind the alleged bias. Could this be a reaction to SVG’s rapid rise as an international star in a traditionally American sport, or is there more at play behind the scenes? The controversy comes at a time when NASCAR is already embroiled in legal battles and public scrutiny. A federal antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports has exposed tensions between the sanctioning body and its teams, with allegations of monopolistic practices and unfair charter agreements. Court documents revealed heated exchanges, including expletive-laden texts from team owners like Michael Jordan, highlighting deep mistrust in NASCAR’s leadership. While Doran’s accusations are separate from this lawsuit, they fuel a growing narrative that NASCAR’s governance may prioritize certain teams or drivers over others. SVG’s dominance on road courses is undeniable. His ability to navigate complex circuits with precision has drawn praise from peers and veterans alike. Denny Hamlin, a NASCAR stalwart, recently commended SVG’s rapid improvement, noting, “His ability to handle pressure and adapt to ovals is remarkable for someone with his background.” SVG’s crew chief has echoed this sentiment, describing him as a “machine” on road courses who capitalizes on every mistake by his competitors. “He makes no errors, waits for an opening, and pounces,” Doran said in a July 2025 interview with NASCAR.com. Yet, despite this praise, SVG has faced penalties that Doran argues are inconsistent with those imposed on other drivers. One incident that sparked Doran’s ire occurred during the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2025. SVG, who led the first half of the race, was involved in a post-race clash with Todd Gilliland after a strategy miscalculation cost him a chance at victory. While the incident was minor, NASCAR issued a penalty to SVG that Doran called “disproportionate” compared to similar infractions by other drivers. “We’re not asking for special treatment,” Doran said. “We just want fairness. Shane’s out there racing hard but clean, and he’s being singled out in a way that smells like manipulation.” The timing of these penalties is particularly suspicious, as SVG’s oval racing has shown marked improvement. Historically a road-course specialist, the Kiwi driver has worked tirelessly to master NASCAR’s oval tracks, which make up the majority of the playoff schedule. His first oval win at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Legends Car event in July 2025 was a testament to his progress. Doran highlighted SVG’s performance at Iowa Speedway, where he fought back to 16th place despite a damaged car, as evidence of his growth. “He’s learning faster than anyone expected,” Doran told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “To penalize him now, when he’s peaking, feels like a deliberate attempt to slow him down.” Fans on social media platforms like X have rallied behind SVG, with some echoing Doran’s concerns about bias. Posts from users like @AustinKonenski have pointed to perceived favoritism toward certain manufacturers, particularly Chevrolet, though no concrete evidence links this to SVG’s penalties. The sentiment online is clear: many believe NASCAR is wary of an international driver stealing the spotlight in a championship chase. This perception is amplified by SVG’s unique journey—leaving a successful career in Australia to chase his NASCAR dreams in the United States. As Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks put it, “Shane’s story is compelling. He’s moved across the world, trusted us, and delivered results. He’s a superstar.” The implications of Doran’s accusations are significant. If proven true, they could undermine NASCAR’s credibility as a fair and competitive sport. The playoff structure, which includes oval-heavy rounds, already poses a challenge for SVG, whose strengths lie in road racing. The Round of 16 features tracks like Darlington and Bristol, where SVG has shown improvement but remains less experienced than his rivals. The Round of 12, however, includes the Charlotte Roval, a track where SVG earned his first Cup Series pole in 2024 and is favored to excel. Doran believes that NASCAR’s penalties are strategically timed to hinder SVG’s momentum before he can capitalize on his road-course prowess. Trackhouse Racing’s expansion to a three-car team in 2025, with SVG joining Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez, has heightened expectations for the organization. The team’s acquisition of a charter from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing underscores their ambition to compete at the highest level. Marks has praised SVG’s addition as a step toward globalizing NASCAR, noting the diversity of his driver lineup. “We’ve got drivers from New Zealand, Mexico, and the U.S.,” Marks said. “It’s a new era for the sport.” However, Doran’s allegations suggest that NASCAR’s leadership may not be ready to embrace this change fully. As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on SVG and Trackhouse Racing. Will the New Zealander overcome the alleged bias and make a deep run in the championship? Or will NASCAR’s penalties prove too much to overcome? Doran remains defiant, vowing to fight for his driver. “Shane’s here to win, and we’re not backing down,” he said. “If NASCAR wants to play games, we’ll be ready to prove them wrong on the track.” For fans, this controversy adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already thrilling season. SVG’s journey from Supercars to NASCAR stardom is a story of grit, talent, and ambition. As the playoffs unfold, the motorsport world will be watching to see if he can defy the odds—and whether NASCAR’s actions will come under further scrutiny. One thing is certain: Shane van Gisbergen’s 2025 season is shaping up to be one for the history books, for reasons both on and off the track.

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