Shane van Gisbergen has delivered a master performance in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs race at Kansas.

Despite starting down in 22nd and racing at Kansas for the first time, van Gisbergen produced a smashing final stage to soar to eighth and fifth amongst the Playoff contenders.

It was the Kiwi’s fourth best result on an oval and could not have come at a more critical moment in the Playoffs opener where he is trying to be one of the leading eight to make the cut after the first three-race segment.

Up front Aric Almirola made a late-race charge to snatch the win from Playoff drivers Cole Custer and Chandler Smith, who had words post-race.
Sheldon Creed in fifth and Austin Hill in seventh were the only other Playoff drivers to finish ahead of the #97.

The big Playoff victim was Justin Allgaier, who crashed out after making contact with Sheldon Creed and spinning into the inside wall from 10th on Lap 20.

Van Gisbergen started 22nd after qualifying 0.948s off pole sitter Brandon Jones and had a steady opening stage, crossing the line 24th.

The Kiwi crept into the top 20 in a second stage that was heavily interrupted by cautions, including the Allgaier crash.
A Parker Retzlaff rolling tyre in the pits created an unusual caution on Lap 146.

Van gisbergen stayed out and rose to fourth as the leading Playoff contender as Custer was the big winner, pitting seconds prior.

This forced the Kiwi to pit under the yellow but he only fell to 11th as the fifth highest Playoff driver for the restart with 49 to go.

SVG held position just outside the top 10 as Jesse Love charged past, while Smith sliced his way into the lead, but not without contact with Custer.
The Kiwi had strong pace in the run home and charged his way into the top 10.

Inside the final 10 laps the #97 sat ninth and the sixth highest Playoff contender with a second ahead of Williams.

Meanwhile the fight for the lead ignited as Custer and Almirola charged past Chandler Smith to take charge.

With four to go Almirola got a run off Turn 4 and forced his way past down low, only for Custer to attempt the switchback through the opening two corners.
But the #00 did not have another momentum on the inside to retake the lead.

As the attention was on the leaders, van Gisbergen was able to catch Love and snatch eighth inside the final two laps.

It was critical with the Kiwi crossing the line as the fifth highest Playoff driver.
Van Gisbergen will be hoping for a similar result at the wild Talladega next weekend.