Shane van Gisbergen’s impressive performance in NASCAR has drawn attention, with many in the racing world debating the Tony Stewart NASCAR greatness comparison after SVG’s historic accomplishments on road courses this season. As van Gisbergen, the New Zealand driver, breaks foreign-born Cup Series records and racks up high-profile wins, fans and experts alike are questioning whether his early success truly places him among NASCAR legends like Stewart.
SVG’s Road Course Triumphs Rewrite the Record Book
Shane van Gisbergen, also known as SVG, has burst onto the scene, making a name for himself in NASCAR’s road course events throughout 2025. He notched his second Cup Series win of the year at the Grant Park 165 in Chicago on July 6, capturing the checkered flag after starting on the pole and leaving rivals like Daniel Suárez and Marcos Ambrose in his wake. This victory marked his third career NASCAR Cup win, positioning van Gisbergen as the most successful foreign-born driver at this top level and putting him ahead of established names in the series.
SVG’s momentum continued from his show of strength in Mexico City on June 15, where he led 60 of 100 laps amid challenging circumstances, including driving through illness and dealing with a Trackhouse Racing crew hampered by travel issues. These triumphs underline his reputation as a master on twisty circuits, a trait honed in his Supercars days back home in New Zealand. The Chicago weekend was particularly notable, with van Gisbergen joining Kyle Busch as the only drivers to claim both Xfinity and Cup wins from the pole during the same weekend.
His first Cup triumph came back in 2023’s inaugural Chicago Street Race, instantly etching his name alongside Johnny Rutherford, who was the last driver to win on his Cup debut back in 1963. In just 33 Cup Series starts, SVG has established himself as a street and road course ace—the kind of driver whose skills seem especially well matched to NASCAR’s evolving calendar. Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks hailed SVG as one of the finest road course stock car drivers in history, predicting a legacy as the sport’s all-time road course leader.
Challenges Beyond Road Courses
Despite his road course heroics, van Gisbergen’s transition to full-time Cup competition has been far from seamless, especially on oval tracks. His current ranking—33rd in series points with no top-10 finishes on ovals—illustrates the learning curve he faces adapting to these uniquely American circuits. Even after his Mexico win, which required him to push past illness and a depleted crew, he celebrated in memorable Kiwi fashion by kicking a rugby ball to the crowd, joining Ross Chastain’s famous watermelon celebration and Daniel Suárez’s piñata tradition as part of Trackhouse Racing’s growing reputation for electrifying moments.
The 2025 season has also been strong for SVG’s Trackhouse Racing teammates, including Chastain’s exhilarating last-to-first victory at the Coke 600 and Suárez’s Xfinity win in Mexico, collectively proving the organization’s competitive edge across different venues. However, van Gisbergen’s limited results on ovals and overall points position have caused some to question whether his headline road wins are enough to claim a spot among NASCAR’s all-time greats.
Comparisons Ignite: Social Media Reacts to Stewart vs. SVG
The conversation around svg’s progress reached new heights when NASCAR Classics spotlighted the comparison on X, noting that both Tony Stewart and Shane van Gisbergen won three of their first 33 NASCAR Cup Series starts. The moment was amplified by Jeff Gluck, who commented, “Smoke 🤝 Bloke,” alluding to Stewart’s “Smoke” nickname and van Gisbergen’s New Zealand heritage. This parallel quickly fired up fan debates about what it really takes to be considered great in the Cup Series.
Public reaction made it clear that, despite enthusiasm for SVG’s performances, many fans believe that matching Stewart’s win tally—at this early career stage—cannot by itself justify comparisons to the three-time champion, nicknamed “Smoke.” The dialogue highlighted a critical difference between a specialized road course expert and a driver with the full package of achievements, including championships and consistent results across all track types.
Fan Perspectives on Measuring NASCAR Greatness
Combing through the flood of responses, it’s clear that many long-time NASCAR followers are wary of equating SVG’s explosive but specialized success with Stewart’s enduring, multi-format dominance. One fan responded pointedly:
Smoke probably wasn’t 27th in points to be fair.
—Fan, NASCAR Commentator
The facts back up this claim. Tony Stewart’s 1999 rookie campaign was marked not only by four wins but also a fourth-place finish in the overall standings—an achievement that contrasts sharply with SVG’s current points position in his debut year. Stewart’s ability to win at various track types, particularly on ovals, defines his legacy.
Another passionate supporter explained the gap:
Smoke was not on 3 road courses. Big. Difference. Smoke can win on either, Other guy can only win RC.
—Fan, NASCAR Historian
The fan’s observation touches on Stewart’s USAC Triple Crown, his championships in IndyCar and NHRA Top Fuel, and his 49 Cup Series victories, all combining to paint him as a top-tier driver of his generation. Within this context, Stewart is commonly compared to motorsports royalty like Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt, making direct comparisons to SVG—largely based on early road course results—seem misplaced for many observers.
The skepticism intensified as another participant added:
Stewart could run on an oval and is a 3 time champion. SVG is not even an average driver on an oval.
—Fan, Longtime NASCAR Supporter
This criticism underlines a perceived weakness in van Gisbergen’s profile. Despite respectable showings at tracks like Charlotte and Kansas, where he cracked the top 20, SVG’s oval racing credentials remain modest when stacked against Stewart’s victories at iconic tracks such as Daytona and the Brickyard.
Passions rose with one bold declaration:
Tony Stewart did it in a stock car. SVG did it in a sportscar that was specifically designed to cater to him, and destroy the legacies of every other American driver.
—Fan, Racing Analyst
This sentiment reflects a belief that changes in Cup car design in recent years—favoring road course competitiveness—may have disproportionately benefited SVG by playing to his Supercars background. In contrast, Stewart’s early victories came in heavier, less agile cars against a full-time field, amplifying the challenge he faced.
Finally, a fan delivered an unambiguous summary of the majority view:
Stop making these comparisons to Stewart and Johnson. Guys with 10 championships and almost 140 wins combined. SVG is a one trick pony on the racetrack.
—Fan, Veteran NASCAR Enthusiast
Here, the staggering records of Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson—combining for ten championships and nearly 140 wins—are presented as a benchmark, with fans pointing out that SVG’s specialty in road courses, while remarkable, does not yet equate to enduring greatness without results across the spectrum of NASCAR competition.
The Ongoing Debate and What Lies Ahead
Shane van Gisbergen’s dramatic arrival in NASCAR has invigorated fan discussions and added a new international dimension to the Cup Series. His ability to excel on American road circuits, claim pole positions, and celebrate victories with signature flair has made him a standout—yet a central question remains: can he transform his road course magic into wider success, especially on ovals, where NASCAR legends have built their reputations?
While fans appreciate SVG’s standout moments and acknowledge Trackhouse Racing’s red-hot season, most agree that true greatness in NASCAR is determined across a range of venues and over many seasons. For now, van Gisbergen’s achievements secure his reputation as a road course ringer, and the Tony Stewart NASCAR greatness comparison will likely persist each time he triumphs. However, it’s consistent success on ovals and deeper playoff runs that would ultimately elevate SVG’s legacy to stand alongside Stewart, Johnson, and other giants of the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Tony Stewart quit?
A. Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting down after 16 years. Stewart mentioned that one challenge was securing sponsors for their four-car team. His departure happens during a period of tension between NASCAR and its teams about the sport’s future.
Q. Did Tony Stewart drive F1?
A. TAMPA — Tony Stewart has driven nearly every type of car during his life. He raced in major events like the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. Stewart also claimed titles in go-karts, sprint cars, NASCAR, and IndyCar. He even tried out a Formula One car. Throughout all this, he never felt scared of getting behind the wheel. “Ever,” Stewart mentioned.
