As Shane van Gisbergen continues to carve his name into NASCAR history with yet another dominant road course victory at Sonoma Raceway, fans are looking back—not just at his wins, but at the moments that made him unforgettable. Chief among them? That legendary burnout after winning the 2022 Supercars Championship.
In a sport that thrives on emotion and expression, few celebrations have matched the raw, unfiltered flair van Gisbergen showed that day. His aggressive, tire-shredding display wasn’t just showmanship—it was a window into the drifter’s soul.
“God, I Love This Guy”: A Burnout That Sparked a Movement
Long before van Gisbergen became a Cup Series race-winner and road course titan, he was setting fire to the pavement—figuratively and nearly literally—during his Supercars sendoff in 2022. That burnout, delivered with the rear quarter panel dragging along the wall as smoke engulfed the track, left a lasting impression on racing fans worldwide.
“The Sonoma burnout when he’s got the rear quarter panel all but dragging the wall… that’s the drifter in him,”
one fan recalled this week on social media.
Others chimed in with admiration, calling him “one of the most badass” racers they’ve seen. Another said simply:
“God I love this guy, we’re so lucky to get him in NASCAR.”
It wasn’t just the smoke or style—it was the authenticity. When SVG high-fived his crew mid-burnout during a Cup Series win celebration, fans weren’t surprised. They’d seen it before, and they wanted more.
The Sonoma Show: Pure Domination, Mixed Emotions
At the 2025 Toyota/Save Mart 350, SVG turned in one of the most dominant road course performances in recent NASCAR history, leading 97 of 110 laps to take his third Cup win of the season and fourth of his young career. He shattered Jeff Gordon’s record for most laps led in a Sonoma victory.
But even as he put on a masterclass, the fan base was divided. Jeff Gluck’s popular post-race poll showed 61.6% of fans said “Yes” to the question “Was it a good race?”, while 38.4% said “No.” The reason? Predictability.
“GREAT RACE. THE ‘NO’ PEOPLE ARE JUST TIRED OF SVG WINNING EVERY TIME,” one fan wrote. Another added,
“Other than SVG dominating, this was the best Next Gen road course race.”
For some, it wasn’t the lack of action—there were pit road skirmishes, multi-car battles, and a rabbit incident—but the sense that once SVG had clean air, it was over.
Burnouts and Brilliance: Why Fans Still Cheer
Despite concerns about predictability, van Gisbergen has won over a wide base of fans. His background in drifting and international racing gives him a flair that feels rare in the Cup Series today. And it’s not just about speed—he brings theater.
Whether it’s the wild burnouts or the laid-back high fives with crew members while the car still spins, SVG is reminding NASCAR fans of what personality looks like behind the wheel.
One fan said it best:
“I really hope we get to see more of his burnouts this year. That burnout while high-fiving his crew was one of the most badass things I’ve seen in racing in a loooooong time.”
News in Brief: Shane van Gisbergen’s Burnout Legacy
SVG’s 2022 burnout wasn’t just a celebration—it was a prelude. Since entering NASCAR, he’s brought that same edge, same authenticity, and same unapologetic swagger. Fans who saw that Supercars moment now feel like they’re watching history repeat itself—this time, on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
If his post-race celebrations are anything like his racing, fans better be ready for more smoke, more cheers, and more highlight-reel moments from the Kiwi who’s drifting his way into NASCAR lore.
