Shane van Gisbergen’s victory at the Charlotte Roval reignited the ongoing Jeff Gordon road course debate, as prominent figures across NASCAR weighed in on who truly deserves the “Greatest of All Time” title in road course racing. The discussion, charged with contrasting opinions and strong statements, came into sharp focus when Denny Hamlin fired back at those comparing Van Gisbergen’s recent dominance to the legendary status once held by Jeff Gordon.
Shane van Gisbergen Makes History at Charlotte Roval
Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen secured his fifth win of the NASCAR season at the Charlotte Roval, crossing the finish line over 15 seconds ahead of Kyle Larson, who finished in second place. Van Gisbergen’s consistent success on road courses places him among elite company, as he became the first driver since Bobby Allison in 1982 to clinch multiple races with such commanding margins. Many observers have begun to consider him the greatest road course competitor in NASCAR’s history, building suspense and setting the stage for comparisons to past legends like Jeff Gordon.
Denny Hamlin Refutes the Gordon Comparison
Despite Van Gisbergen’s accomplishments, the Jeff Gordon road course debate persists. Veteran NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi expressed hesitation about declaring Van Gisbergen the greatest ever, a stance that promptly drew a passionate response from Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. On his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Hamlin dismissed the idea that Gordon, even in his prime as Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman, could outperform Van Gisbergen in the current NextGen car.
“Jordan Bianchi is absolutely out of his mind. Yeah, he’s on the short-list for the best NASCAR road racer ever. What is he talking about? Does he really think that Jeff Gordon, in his prime, would beat SVG today in a NextGen car? Not a chance. Not a remote chance.”
— Denny Hamlin, Actions Detrimental podcast
Hamlin continued to reinforce his firm viewpoint, emphasizing that even though Gordon benefited from having superior cars during his era, he never produced race margins that rivaled those of Van Gisbergen. According to Hamlin, within only a year and a half, Van Gisbergen has redefined road course performance and has become, in his eyes, the sport’s leading road racer of all time.
“But when it comes to turning left and right, they are not close, and SVG is the greatest road course NASCAR driver in history, and he’s only been doing it for a year and a half. It’s undisputed. Anybody that disputes it, even in my mentions, shut up! I know, you don’t, I compete, you don’t.”
— Denny Hamlin, Actions Detrimental podcast
Team Dynamics Highlight SVG’s Mastery
Adding to Hamlin’s argument, he pointed out the competitive context at Trackhouse Racing. Van Gisbergen’s teammates—Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez—both known for their road racing abilities, have been unable to match the performance of the No. 88 Chevy driver. Despite driving similar equipment, they have yet to rival the rookie’s extraordinary results, underscoring the influence of Van Gisbergen’s individual race craft over any machinery advantage. This dynamic has given the team a clear edge in road course events compared to their performance on ovals.
Justin Marks Credits the No. 88 Team for Success
Following the Charlotte Roval triumph, team owner Justin Marks addressed the media, reflecting on how Trackhouse Racing’s road course dominance has evolved. While the squad continues to seek consistent speed on oval tracks with both Chastain and Suarez, Marks attributed much of the record-breaking success this season to Van Gisbergen and his crew’s relentless execution.
“It’s kind of interesting to look at our year because in many ways, there’s a lot of things we felt like we really need to do a lot better with this race team. I was just talking about getting more week-in, week-out speed, unloading with more speed every seven days. That’s been a theme inside the building is that we just have to get better.”
— Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing owner
Marks further explained that an improved understanding of their cars and more consistent qualifying could help them translate their road course success to other race formats. However, he emphasized that this season’s stellar achievements owe much to the synergy within the No. 88 team and Van Gisbergen’s elite driving skills.
“We have to understand these cars better. We have to unload better on Saturdays and qualify better…The fact this is the winningest season in the history of the company has a lot to do with this incredible 88 team. Shane is a world-class racer. But it’s not just Shane. It takes everybody.”
— Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing owner
SVG’s Influence Sets New Road Course Standard
The introduction of Shane van Gisbergen and his experience as a seasoned driver from New Zealand has transformed Trackhouse Racing’s approach to road course competition. Since Van Gisbergen’s entry into the NASCAR Cup Series, the team has outpaced rivals in the NextGen era, elevating the expectations for road course racing across the sport. Current evidence suggests their command of these circuits is far from over, making it unlikely the dominance will fade in the near future.
Implications for NASCAR’s Road Course Legacy
The intensifying Jeff Gordon road course debate, fueled by vocal advocates like Denny Hamlin, spotlights the generational shift within NASCAR. As Van Gisbergen collects historic milestones and his leadership at Trackhouse Racing creates new benchmarks, questions about legacy and greatness become ever more pressing. The sport continues to balance reverence for legends like Jeff Gordon with the undeniable impact of emerging stars, ensuring these debates drive fan passion and shape the competitive spirit of stock car racing’s next chapter.
