Denny Hamlin on SVG oval chances has become a hot topic as the playoffs approach, with both Hamlin and Shane van Gisbergen openly discussing their expectations for the NASCAR postseason. While Van Gisbergen’s four victories this season prove his skill on road courses, questions remain about his performance on ovals, which could impact his playoff success.
Hamlin Expresses Reservations About SVG’s Oval Readiness
Shane van Gisbergen, often called one of the season’s top drivers, shares the distinction of four race wins with Denny Hamlin—but all of SVG’s triumphs have come on road courses. Oval racing, however, has proven more difficult, with Van Gisbergen averaging just 26.9 in oval events this year. This low average raises concerns, especially since the first three playoff races are all on ovals, making the challenge even greater for the experienced New Zealander.
Addressing the matter on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin was forthright in his analysis.
“You know, in the long term, I mean, he’s certainly getting better at the ovals,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
While Hamlin acknowledged SVG’s improvement, he remains skeptical about SVG’s near-term prospects on NASCAR ovals, especially when facing the category’s top competitors.
“But still, I think it’s going to be really, really tough to overcome the sport’s elite on ovals. I don’t think he’s gonna be able to do that.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
SVG’s Perspective: Progress and Cautious Optimism
Van Gisbergen himself is also candid about his journey. Although he has quickly established himself on road courses, his oval finishes illustrate the steep learning curve he faces. Speaking on Sirius XM NASCAR, SVG outlined his approach for the postseason and displayed self-awareness about the challenges ahead.
“The playoffs are pretty soon. So I just need to keep the averages up, keep getting good results, and who knows where we’ll end up? But I really think we’re improving every week. Yeah, that first round’s gonna be difficult,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Despite his hurdles on ovals, SVG sees opportunities in the playoff format. The second round includes a stop at the Charlotte Roval, a road course where Van Gisbergen’s skills may give him an advantage, and he heads into the postseason with valuable playoff points from his earlier wins.
“But having the playoff points really helps us,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Looking ahead, Van Gisbergen remains hopeful about his prospects beyond the initial oval-heavy rounds.
“And then the second round has tracks that we should be able to get good results at. So who knows what can happen?”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
What the Playoffs Could Mean for SVG’s NASCAR Journey
As the postseason nears, Hamlin’s doubts reflect a common sentiment within the community regarding SVG’s ability to master NASCAR’s oval tracks quickly. However, Van Gisbergen’s determined attitude and positivity, coupled with the playoff structure—which includes both oval and road course races—mean that he cannot be counted out. With the sport’s top drivers like Denny Hamlin setting the standard, SVG faces a significant test, but his improvements and strategic mindset may lead to surprises as the playoffs unfold.
