Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR rookie wins have quickly become a defining storyline of the 2025 Cup Series season, as van Gisbergen races into the record books with four victories to his name and multiple chances to add more. While many highly decorated drivers face a steep adjustment moving up to NASCAR’s premier level, the New Zealander has stunned the field by winning often and early, putting his name among the greatest debut seasons of all time.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Historic Debut and Ongoing Pursuit
Even drivers with strong backgrounds often find the NASCAR Cup Series to be an entirely new challenge, but van Gisbergen’s first year has already exceeded expectations. He currently leads the all-time rookie wins list, holding four victories with ten races left in 2025. Each of his wins—Mexico City, Sonoma, the Chicago street course, and Watkins Glen—have come on road courses, underscoring his mastery in this discipline. With the Charlotte Roval still ahead during the Round of 12, observers are watching closely to see if he can maintain his winning momentum, provided he advances past the Round of 16.
This success places van Gisbergen firmly in a discussion occupied by some of the Cup Series’ most legendary first-year performers. As he continues making headlines, it’s worth revisiting the exceptional seasons of other rookies who managed to secure multiple wins right from the start. The following is a look back at the drivers who made an immediate impact in their rookie years, not including van Gisbergen, as his remarkable 2025 campaign is ongoing.
Jimmie Johnson’s Fast Start in 2002
Jimmie Johnson entered his rookie year in the NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports in 2002, driving the #48 Chevrolet. That season, Johnson won three races, with his victories coming at Auto Club Speedway and twice at Dover, establishing himself as a future star.
Over his career, Johnson amassed 83 wins and matched the all-time record with seven championships, a feat only achieved by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. His unprecedented run of five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010 cemented his legacy as one of NASCAR’s greatest ever.
Tony Stewart’s Record-Breaking Rookie Year of 1999
Tony Stewart made history in 1999 as the first rookie to secure three race wins in a single season. Piloting the #20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart closed his freshman campaign with victories at Richmond, Phoenix, and Homestead–Miami, capping a dominant late-season run.
Stewart, like van Gisbergen, brought championship accolades from another form of racing—he arrived from a title-winning run in open-wheel, having won the 1997 Indy Racing League (now IndyCar Series) championship. Stewart remains the only driver to have captured premier titles in both American open-wheel and stock car racing, ending his NASCAR career with three championship trophies and 49 wins.
Denny Hamlin’s Twin Triumphs in 2006
Denny Hamlin, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, notched two landmark victories in his 2006 rookie campaign, both at Pocono. These achievements signaled the start of a long and productive Cup Series journey for the #11 driver.
While Hamlin has so far collected 58 career victories, a championship eludes him. Notably, he shares a unique distinction with Junior Johnson, as one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to surpass 50 wins without taking home the sport’s ultimate title. Despite this, Hamlin remains an active contender with no immediate plans for retirement.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s First-Year Success in 2000
Dale Earnhardt Jr. had just completed consecutive Xfinity Series championships when he stepped into the Cup Series in 2000. Piloting the #8 DEI Chevrolet, he scored rookie-year wins at Texas Motor Speedway and Richmond.
The following year, Earnhardt Jr. celebrated an emotional triumph with his third career victory at Daytona, just months after the tragic passing of his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. By the time he retired in 2017, Earnhardt Jr. had compiled 26 Cup Series victories and was loved by fans for his resilience and tenacity on track.
Kyle Busch Sets Milestones in 2005
Kyle Busch drew national attention during his rookie year in 2005 with two wins under his belt—one at Auto Club Speedway and another at ISM Raceway, now known as Phoenix Raceway. At the time, he was the youngest winner in Cup Series history until Joey Logano surpassed that mark four years later at New Hampshire.
Busch has become a mainstay in NASCAR and now pilots the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing. Competing alongside current rookies like van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst, Busch has accrued 63 career Cup wins, making him one of the sport’s most established and consistent drivers.
Another rookie worthy of mention is Kevin Harvick, who in 2001 captured two race wins at Atlanta and Chicagoland, showcasing that a strong start can set the tone for a prolific career.
The Broader Impact of Shane van Gisbergen’s Rookie Achievements
As van Gisbergen continues his striking ascent in the NASCAR Cup Series, his performance is redefining what’s possible for first-year drivers at the sport’s top level. Rookies like Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch each made their mark, but van Gisbergen’s rapid accumulation of wins is setting a new standard. With several races remaining on the 2025 schedule and formidable road courses ahead, van Gisbergen could elevate the rookie record to heights previously unattained, reshaping how newcomers are viewed in one of America’s most storied motorsports.
