There is little doubt about the fact that Trackhouse Racing rookie Shane van Gisbergen is the sport's top road and street course driver at the moment, and maybe ever. But while he finished the regular season tied for the series lead in wins, he also finished the regular season point standings in 25th place, prompting the usual calls from NASCAR fans that he didn't "deserve" a spot in the playoffs. Whether he deserved it or not, he certainly earned it by winning four races in a format that rewards winning over everything. But at Kansas, despite having already been eliminated from playoff contention, van Gisbergen had a breakthrough performance, finishing 10th after starting 24th at a track where he finished 20th back in mid-May. This weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, van Gisbergen is the overwhelming favorite to find victory lane, which would mark his fifth consecutive non-oval win.