Xfinity Series crew chief for Shane van Gisbergen leaves Kaulig Racing

A curveball to end the season for Shane van Gisbergen. His NASCAR Xfinity Series crew chief, Bruce Schlicker, has left the team. Schlicker had been crew chief for the No. 97 team for the entire season up to this point.

Together, Shane van Gisbergen and Schlicker won three races, all on road courses. SVG had even earned top-10 and top-5 finishes on ovals this season as he continues to improve that part of his skill set.

The news comes as a surprise. Toby Christie of Racing America confirmed the news earlier this week. Kevin Walter has been confirmed to be taking over for the 97 team on the pit box.

Walter has been crew chief for Josh Williams in the 11-car this season. It feels like Kaulig Racing was taken by surprise by the move and is looking for a solution for the rest of the season.

It is shocking to see a move like this. The Xfinity Series is still on a break for one more week. But this is not ideal for Shane van Gisbergen. He is a new driver in this series. While he will have a couple of road courses at Watkins Glen and the Roval coming up, and repeat ovals, he needs good guidance.

I’m sure Walter will do great. When your driver has the most wins in the series and is in a position to at least make the second round on playoff points, you have to help him as much as you can.

Shane van Gisbergen will be fine with new crew chief

While there is cause for concern, there is also the flip side. SVG is 35 years old and has been a professional racecar driver since he was 17. He knows how to work with new people, crew chiefs, teams, and race against new drivers – so, there is reason to believe he will be just fine.

Shane van Gisbergen is a rare talent. Even as he has been learning, he’s put up impressive results. P3 at Atlanta, P6 in Phoenix, P4 in his last race at Indianapolis. More times than not, 12 out of 20, he has finished in the top-15.

In the remaining races, seven are repeat tracks, two are road courses, and four are completely new ovals for SVG. That is good news. In my mind, the road courses are potential wins. Atlanta could be his best shot at winning on an oval.

Then you have the other repeat tracks. Las Vegas, Martinsville, and Phoenix can all be top-10 finishes, if not better. So, there is reason to be optimistic. There is reason to believe he could sneak into the Championship 4. What do you think? Will this crew chief change be a problem for SVG?