Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR road course achievements have sparked lively debate, as Jimmie Johnson and other key NASCAR voices weigh in on whether the New Zealand driver is already one of the sport’s greatest. This discussion gains momentum after van Gisbergen’s impressive record of four road course wins and a runner-up finish in just 35 Cup Series starts.
Jimmie Johnson Offers Cautious Praise
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, recognized for his calm and balanced opinions, is not ready to call van Gisbergen the greatest of all time on road courses just yet. He explained his reasoning during a recent announcement for a new NASCAR street race in San Diego, Johnson’s hometown.
“It’s tough to put that label on a guy two seasons into driving stock cars,”
Johnson commented earlier this week.
“But the conversation is warranted. I think time will tell. He is in another stratosphere compared to road course racers.”
—Jimmie Johnson, Seven-time NASCAR Champion
Johnson draws perspective from his era racing alongside drivers like Jeff Gordon, often cited as one of the best to compete on road circuits. Gordon, Johnson’s esteemed former teammate, logged an outstanding nine road course victories split between Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen among his 93 Cup wins. As Gordon transitions to a leadership role under Rick Hendrick, Johnson reflects on the formative paths of such legendary drivers.
Assessing van Gisbergen’s potential, Johnson emphasized that while SVG is showing remarkable skill early in his career, it takes more sustained success to claim the GOAT title.
“Seeing him up against Tony Stewart at his peak, that would have been an interesting time to see peak to peak,”
Johnson said, comparing van Gisbergen’s rise to historic runs made by icons like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. Johnson highlighted that being named the best ever in NASCAR road racing requires excellence demonstrated consistently over years rather than a quick run of victories.
“Fastest guy to be in a car, in a Cup car, that conversation is timely. Greatest of all time, we need more sample sets to choose from.”
—Jimmie Johnson, Seven-time NASCAR Champion
Comparisons With Past and Present Greats
During his career, Johnson witnessed the dominance of drivers such as Tony Stewart, AJ Allmendinger, and Jeff Gordon, all who left their mark on road racing history. SVG’s contemporaries and experts believe time will reveal whether van Gisbergen can match or exceed that legacy. Johnson remains clear that longevity is essential, stating,
“The greatest of all time, I think that is kind of given to someone over a long duration of time versus just a couple of years. The skills he (SVG) has, if he stays in the sport for five, 10 years … I would then start to think greatest of all time.”
Van Gisbergen’s early road course wins have certainly placed him under the spotlight, with many wondering if his career trajectory parallels or even surpasses the likes of Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. The discussion follows a familiar path in NASCAR, where each generation produces new contenders for greatness.
Kyle Petty’s Critical Perspective
Longtime NASCAR analyst and former driver Kyle Petty approaches the GOAT discussion with greater skepticism. Petty doesn’t deny van Gisbergen’s current superiority in road racing but warns against rushing to label him as an all-time great.
“He is the greatest of the moment in road racing,”
Petty said of SVG. —Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst and Former Driver
Petty points to a long tradition of standout road course racers, referencing legends such as Dan Gurney, Tim Richmond, AJ Allmendinger, and Marcos Ambrose. He sees van Gisbergen’s accomplishments as the latest chapter in a sport full of riders who each raised the bar in their time.
“Now we have SVG. And he has raised the bar. That’s all he’s done right now. Greatest of all time? We use the word great way too much. I’m going to call him the greatest of the moment. That’s where I’m going to stay with it.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst and Former Driver
What Lies Ahead for SVG and NASCAR Road Racing
The debate about Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR road course achievements highlights just how difficult it is to crown a new “GOAT” so early in a driver’s career. Both Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Petty emphasize that earning such status requires not just momentary skill, but years of dominance against the very best. As van Gisbergen continues in the Cup Series, all eyes will be on how his résumé develops over time and whether his early road racing brilliance will translate into sustained greatness. For now, the conversation continues in garages, broadcasting booths, and among fans, with everyone watching to see if SVG can solidify his legacy among road course legends like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Van Gisbergen permanently left Supercars after a successful NASCAR Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing, where he won in Chicago. When asked about his decision to leave Supercars, van Gisbergen explained he wasn’t having fun. He remarked, “I disliked the Gen3 Camaro.”
Q. How much does Shane van Gisbergen earn?
A. Base Salary: Van Gisbergen likely earns about $1 million each year as his base pay.
Bonuses: He might receive extra money for winning races and championships.
Endorsements: Van Gisbergen has sponsorship deals with big companies like Red Bull, Holden, and Vodafone.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. When considering why he quit Supercars, van Gisbergen mentioned that he didn’t enjoy the racing anymore. He expressed his dislike for the Gen3 Camaro, calling it a boring car. He felt restricted because driving hard made the car perform worse, requiring only 40 percent effort.
