Denny Hamlin has made a notable declaration about the ongoing Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR road course dominance, especially after van Gisbergen captured his third road course win of the current Cup Series season at Sonoma. Hamlin, a respected competitor in NASCAR, now considers the New Zealander the top road course specialist in the sport’s history.
Elevating Van Gisbergen Above NASCAR’s Historical Road Racing Legends
Denny Hamlin openly addressed the subject of comparing Shane van Gisbergen to past stars of road racing in NASCAR, pointing out how racing conditions and competition have evolved. He acknowledged the likes of Dan Gurney, one of the historic greats, but noted that today’s consistent parity between cars makes SVG’s achievements particularly significant.
“I think there’s certainly a real discussion to be had on the best road course racer that NASCAR has seen,”
Hamlin remarked. —Denny Hamlin, veteran driver
In referencing past eras, Hamlin highlighted how drivers like Dan Gurney sometimes benefited from circumstances unique to their time, such as fewer road races and notable equipment advantages. He emphasized that present-day talent shines through in a way that is substantially different from the advantages held by some competitors in decades prior.
Hamlin expanded on this view, noting the comparative nature of today’s competition:
“I just feel like it’s apples and oranges trying to compare what someone did 40-some years ago, because there was not that many competitive cars. If you had someone that was specific in road racing, they could come out here and win Riverside five of nine times, or whatever it might be. But not someone that’s coming in with spec-cars and more competitive drivers. I don’t think the two are the same.”
—Denny Hamlin, veteran driver
Van Gisbergen’s Streak and His Place in the 2025 NASCAR Season
The recognition from a fellow competitor like Hamlin is no small gesture. Van Gisbergen hasn’t only excelled in the Cup Series on road layouts; his commanding presence carries into the Xfinity Series as well. During the 2025 season, few have been able to challenge his lead when the tracks twist and turn, reinforcing his stature among other drivers, competitors, and fans alike.
Playoff Implications and the Road Ahead
Van Gisbergen’s string of road course wins has effectively secured his place in the playoffs, and speculation is mounting about how far he can progress once the postseason begins. Despite some struggles on traditional oval tracks, Hamlin believes van Gisbergen remains a genuine contender as the championship picture develops.
Hamlin shared his perspective on van Gisbergen’s playoff prospects:
“He could go through the first round just by not messing up,”
he said. —Denny Hamlin, veteran driver
He elaborated further on the challenges of early playoff rounds:
“We’ve said this a million times, the first round, the four guys that exit after Round of 16 are just — usually they have major issues in races. Could be mechanical. Could be wrecks. They have those P30-plus worse finishes. You avoid that and he can advance, especially with him having the bonus points he has now.”
—Denny Hamlin, veteran driver
Looking at the remainder of the season, van Gisbergen has the summer to improve his results on oval circuits before he takes on the pressure of playoff competition in NASCAR. Should the New Zealander elevate his performance on those more traditional tracks, the rest of the field may face an even greater challenge.
As the NASCAR season intensifies, van Gisbergen’s dominance on road circuits remains a point of discussion among key voices in the sport, such as Denny Hamlin and observers like Mike Joy. With each new victory, van Gisbergen is redefining what it means to be a versatile and dangerous contender in NASCAR’s evolving landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, the last races for Van Gisbergen didn’t go as hoped. On Saturday, during the first lap, he hit Will Brown’s car, which had already crashed at Turn 4. On Sunday, he had problems with his brakes, preventing him from completing the race.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen an American citizen?
A. Shane Robert van Gisbergen, often called SVG, is a professional race car driver from New Zealand. He was born on May 9, 1989.
Q. How many Supercar Championships did Shane van Gisbergen win?
A. Shane van Gisbergen, often called “SVG,” has an outstanding racing career. He has won the Bathurst 12 Hour race and achieved a podium finish in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Additionally, he has claimed three titles in the Australian Supercars series.
