Shane van Gisbergen’s 2025 Sonoma win didn’t just add another trophy to his shelf—it lit NASCAR fandom on fire. After dominating from the pole and leading a record-setting 97 of 110 laps, fans flooded social media with reactions ranging from awe to disbelief. With each road course race, SVG isn’t just collecting wins—he’s chiseling his name into the NASCAR history books alongside some of the sport’s all-time greats.
Key Highlights
Shane van Gisbergen led 97 of 110 laps to win the 2025 Sonoma Cup race
He became the first driver since Jimmie Johnson (2008) to win 3 races from pole in a single season
SVG is the fastest driver to 4 Cup wins since Parnelli Jones in 1969
Fans compared his drive to Jeff Gordon’s 2004 Sonoma performance
His dominance on road courses drew parallels to Cale Yarborough’s 1977 season
SVG’s Sonoma Masterclass
Shan Van Gisbergen’s victory at Sonoma was clinical. Starting from the pole for the third straight road race, the Trackhouse Racing driver once again proved untouchable on left-and-right-turn circuits. He led a record-breaking 97 laps—surpassing Jeff Gordon’s 92 laps led at Sonoma in 2004—and controlled the pace with precision pit strategy and bulletproof execution.
Sunday’s win marked SVG’s third Cup Series victory of the season, all on road courses, and his fourth career Cup win in just 34 starts. The performance added more fuel to the conversation about his road racing dominance—and where he ranks among the best to ever do it.
NASCAR Fan Reactions: Record-Book Rewrites and Nostalgic Comparisons
As the checkered flag flew, fans were quick to flood NASCAR threads and Reddit with comparisons and praise.
“Shane van Gisbergen is the first driver to win 3 NASCAR Cup Series races from pole in a single season since Jimmie Johnson in 2008.” – a nascar fan
“He’s the first rookie to get 3 wins since Jimmie Johnson in 2002.” – a nascar fan
Another fan corrected:
“Third all time. He’s going to break a record held by Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.” – a nascar fan
The significance of SVG’s Sonoma dominance wasn’t lost either:
“Shane van Gisbergen’s 97 laps led today at Sonoma are the most laps led on a road course in the Cup Series since Cale Yarborough led 102 laps at Riverside in 1977.”- a nascar fan
“SVG has won more road course races this year alone than Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson had in their entire careers combined. Even though there are many more road courses on the schedule today, that’s still mind-boggling.” – a nascar fan
“SVG is just rewriting the record books for road courses at this point. That’s why he’s here.” – a nascar fan
Many fans couldn’t help but make direct comparisons to another legendary Sonoma performance:
“Jeff Gordon led 92 of 110 laps at Sonoma in 2004. Only laps he didn’t lead were due to pit cycles. SVG’s win today reminded me of that race—it was a fight for second the whole time.” – a nascar fan
Cale Yarborough’s 1977 Season: NASCAR’s Golden Standard
The comparison to Cale Yarborough’s dominance didn’t come out of nowhere. Back in 1977, Yarborough:
Won the championship with nine victories
Became the first driver to complete every race of the season with no DNFs
Led the points standings from start to finish, a feat still unmatched
Had a run of 14 straight top-6 finishes to close the season
Won the Daytona 500 and several other crown jewel events
At Riverside, he led 102 laps, a number untouched on road courses until SVG nearly matched it at Sonoma. The echoes of that dominance haven’t gone unnoticed by longtime fans:
“Cale’s ’77 season in general was absolutely insane.” – a nascar fan
“73-80 was peak Yarborough, but ’74-78 is one of the greatest 5-year stretches in NASCAR history.” – a nascar fan
In some eyes, SVG’s current road course run is building toward that level of legendary performance—but with a modern twist.
SVG’s Place in the Modern NASCAR Era
SVG now sits tied for the season lead in wins alongside Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell. What sets him apart is how he’s done it—all three wins from the pole, all three on road courses, and all with a style that blends international finesse with stock car grit.
With the Charlotte Roval and Watkins Glen still ahead before the playoffs, fans and analysts alike are starting to ask if SVG could be the generational road course talent in a landscape long ruled by oval aces.
As one fan put it:
“That’s why he’s here.” – a nascar fan
News in Brief: Fans Go Wild After Shane van Gisbergen’s Sonoma Domination
Shane van Gisbergen’s historic win at Sonoma set social media ablaze, as fans compared his dominance to Jeff Gordon’s 2004 win and even Cale Yarborough’s 1977 campaign. Leading 97 of 110 laps—more than any Sonoma winner in history—SVG became the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2008 to win three Cup races from the pole in a single season. His performance also made him the fastest driver to four Cup wins since 1969. With his road course streak growing and fans hailing him as a record-breaker, SVG’s reputation as one of NASCAR’s elite is no longer in question.
ALSO READ: Beyond Shane van Gisbergen: 5 Foreign Drivers Who Made NASCAR History With Stunning Achievements
