Xfinity Series playoffs set to open this weekend at Kansas with van Gisbergen studying the rules

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Welcome to the Xfinity Series playoffs, Shane van Gisbergen. Now here’s a copy of how the system works, so study up.

The New Zealand driving sensation — who won the first Cup Series race he ever entered with a victory last year on the street course in Chicago — has run a full Xfinity Series schedule this year after moving from Australia and the V8 Supercars circuit.

He wasn't exactly sure how the system works over the remaining seven races of the season, so when a sponsor posted the rules, he took a look and was a bit alarmed at what he found.

“I studied it (Monday) trying to understand how it works,” van Gisbergen said. “The playoff system is crazy. It’s the most overcomplicated racing series I’ve been a part of, but I think it’s pretty cool. It’s great for the fans. One of my sponsors put out an article explaining the playoffs and how that all works. I had no idea how it works. It’s so complicated.