Shane van Gisbergen’s latest triumph at Sonoma Raceway was more than just another win—it was a statement. The New Zealander dominated the 1.99-mile California road course, leading 97 of 110 laps and notching his third NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2025 season, all coming on road or street courses.
As the Cup Series pivots back to ovals and the playoffs come into focus, the motorsports world is asking one big question: What’s next for SVG?
Sonoma Performance and Road Course Expectations
Van Gisbergen’s performance at Sonoma was nothing short of technical brilliance. After starting from pole, he maintained control through several late-race cautions and executed flawless restarts en route to victory. The win marked his third straight road course triumph and fourth career Cup win in just 34 starts—making him the fastest to reach that mark since Parnelli Jones in 1969.
His unique braking technique and Supercars background continue to give him a major advantage, particularly on tracks that feature complex corners and elevation changes.
With three wins in the past five weeks—all on non-ovals—SVG has firmly established himself as the benchmark on road and street circuits. Expectations are sky-high for upcoming events of this kind, and several competitors have already admitted they can’t match his pace on these layouts.
SVG vs. Other International NASCAR Rookies
What SVG has done in such a short time is nearly unheard of in NASCAR history. While other international drivers have needed years to find consistency, SVG has become a weekly threat in just over a season.
Juan Pablo Montoya: 2 wins in 7 full seasons, both on road courses.
Marcos Ambrose: 2 wins (both at Watkins Glen) in 5 seasons.
Daniel Suárez: NASCAR’s first international Cup Series champion (2022), took over 150 starts to win.
In contrast, van Gisbergen’s 4 wins in just 34 starts—including 3 in a single season—put him far ahead of his international predecessors. His learning curve isn’t just steep—it’s historic.
NASCAR Playoff Picture: Realistic Contender or Road Course Specialist?
The NASCAR playoff format poses a unique challenge for van Gisbergen. Despite his road course dominance, the postseason schedule heavily favors ovals. Only one road course—Charlotte’s Roval—is part of the playoffs.
So, can SVG realistically contend for a championship?
Strengths: Dominant on road and street circuits; almost certainly playoff-bound via wins
Challenges: Needs significant improvement on ovals to advance through elimination rounds
Historical Precedent: No Cup Series champion has ever relied solely on road course wins—oval performance is essential
SVG is expected to contend at the Roval, but a deep playoff run will require solid results on intermediate and short tracks. That said, his rate of adaptation—and the competitive support from Trackhouse Racing—means he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
News in Brief: Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR 2025 Title Chances
Shane van Gisbergen’s road course dominance at Sonoma cements his status as NASCAR’s most formidable non-oval racer. His learning curve outpaces any international driver in recent history. However, with only one road course in the playoffs, SVG’s championship hopes will hinge on how quickly he can translate his skills to the ovals—a storyline that will define the rest of his 2025 campaign.
ALSO READ: Breaking Down Shane van Gisbergen’s Performance on NASCAR’s Non-Road Course Tracks
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has any international driver won the NASCAR Cup Series?
A. Yes, international drivers like Shane van Gisbergen, Mario Andretti, Marcos Ambrose, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Daniel Suárez have won Cup races.
Q. Who is the best road course driver in NASCAR 2025?
A. Shane van Gisbergen is widely regarded as the best road course driver in NASCAR 2025.
Q. What tracks favor Shane van Gisbergen in NASCAR playoffs?
A. The Charlotte Roval is the only playoff track that strongly favors Shane van Gisbergen’s road course strengths.
