Shane van Gisbergen‘s road course domination has defined much of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season, but Spire Motorsports driver Michael McDowell believes this winning streak can be interrupted as the playoff schedule continues. With four victories out of five road course events so far and only Gateway left in the playoffs, McDowell offers a candid perspective that challenges the prevailing hype surrounding van Gisbergen’s formidable arrival from Supercars.
Van Gisbergen’s Unprecedented Success on Road Courses
This NASCAR Cup season has seen road course racing at a level not previously experienced, thanks largely to Trackhouse Racing’s driver Shane van Gisbergen. Having already secured three Supercars championships, van Gisbergen delivered four wins out of just five road course contests during his rookie cup campaign. With only Gateway remaining in the playoff lineup, a potential fifth victory stands within his reach, presenting a historic opportunity for both the driver and the sport.
The Kiwi racer’s technical mastery and confidence on the twists and turns have prompted speculation among fans and analysts that he is poised to capture yet another win at Gateway. Yet, opinions within the drivers‘ garage remain divided on whether such dominance is sustainable—or even desirable.
Michael McDowell Weighs In on Van Gisbergen’s Streak
Michael McDowell, piloting the No. 71 for Spire Motorsports, brings a seasoned road course perspective to the debate. Before van Gisbergen’s arrival, McDowell himself was known for his skill in these unique Cup Series events. He acknowledges SVG‘s performance but tempers enthusiasm around the supposed inevitability of Gisbergen’s victories, emphasizing that the championship contender, while talented, is not invincible.
“I have a different perspective on this. What he’s doing right now is incredible. But he’s not Superman. He’s doing everything just a little bit better because of his background.”
—Michael McDowell, via The San Diego Union-Tribune
McDowell points to van Gisbergen’s Supercars foundation as the element giving him an upper hand. Yet, he suggests that SVG’s dominance can be matched or even surpassed with the right adjustments by NASCAR veterans. By analyzing SVG’s racing style—especially his distinctive approach to braking and turning—McDowell offers insights that may serve as a blueprint for challengers hoping to upset the current status quo.
“He brakes a little later and different going into a turn. His line through turns is a little different. He accelerates a little earlier exiting turns. It’s a matter of feet. But it’s turn after turn, lap after lap.”
—Michael McDowell
According to McDowell, van Gisbergen’s consistent advantage flows from making minor, yet critical, improvements on every lap. While those small differences accumulate into consistent wins, McDowell insists that these are within the reach of the Cup Series field, if they adapt and refine their own methods.
Impact on the Competitive Field and the Cup Garage
Rather than fostering frustration or discouragement, SVG’s success has pushed competitors to elevate their own performance. McDowell notes that instead of surrendering to the perceived inevitability of van Gisbergen’s victories, drivers and teams are using these results as motivation to close the gap, seeking incremental speed and handling improvements that might one day dethrone the Kiwi road course specialist.
“He’s pushing all of us to be better. He’s pushing everyone to make some adjustments. And it will happen. It’s just a matter of time.”
—Michael McDowell
This spirit of adaptation has become prevalent throughout the garage, as mechanics and drivers hunt for new car setups and innovative racing lines that expose vulnerabilities in SVG’s approach. The optimism laced in McDowell’s remarks underscores the inherently competitive nature of the Cup grid, where no streak is presumed unbreakable, regardless of current momentum.
Debate Over Van Gisbergen’s Standing Among NASCAR‘s Greats
As van Gisbergen’s name echoes through the paddock, conversations have shifted toward positioning him among the legends of NASCAR road racing. Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who raced against titans like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, provides a voice of caution amidst the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) discussions.
“It’s tough to put the GOAT tag on a guy after two seasons. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart were great on road courses. But having the argument that SVG is the best ever is valid. He’s in his own stratosphere. We’ve had guys go on streaks on road courses. If he’s there for five or 10 years, that’s a different story.”
—Jimmie Johnson
Johnson’s balanced assessment points out that while van Gisbergen’s current run is unmatched, establishing enduring greatness in the NASCAR Cup Series requires longevity and continued success. This view maintains space for both the excitement his arrival brings and the standards set by former icons.
The open question remains whether van Gisbergen can continue rewriting the narrative over several seasons and on different types of tracks, or if the rest of the field, now galvanized, will eventually crack the code to his road course supremacy.
What Lies Ahead for the Playoffs and Beyond
As the playoff race at Gateway approaches, much of the field is preparing to apply lessons gleaned from SVG’s earlier triumphs. Adjustments in driving style, car setup, and strategy—many spurred by his European and Supercars background—may soon erode the gap between SVG and his competition.
The discussion around road course mastery won’t fade quickly, particularly with drivers like Michael McDowell and Jimmie Johnson bringing nuanced perspectives to the sport’s evolving landscape. Fans and observers, too, remain eager to witness whether Shane van Gisbergen’s road course domination will endure for years—or if another driver will soon rise to end this streak and carve out their own legacy in NASCAR road course history.
