Shane Van Gisbergen was awarded the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie honors after finishing the season at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, achieving this milestone with a standout performance in his first year in the field. Van Gisbergen, often referred to as SVG, used his impressive record throughout the series to secure the top rookie prize, bringing attention to Trackhouse Racing and demonstrating strong potential for the future.
Van Gisbergen’s Impressive Debut Season
Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, Shane Van Gisbergen posted notable results during the NASCAR Cup Series. His year included three pole positions, five wins, five top-five placements, and seven appearances in the top ten. These achievements helped him reach the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, finishing 12th in the championship standings. Riley Herbst was the only other rookie contender this season, ending in 35th place in the overall standings, a distant comparison to SVG’s performance.
“It’s another thing, it’s cool, I gotta appreciate there weren’t too many rookies this year, but pretty cool,”
SVG said before the season’s final race at Phoenix. — Shane Van Gisbergen, NASCAR Driver
Past Standout Rookie Drivers
The NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award has been granted to several drivers who subsequently became some of the sport’s biggest names. Notable recent recipients active in the Cup Series include Kyle Busch, who took the honor in 2005; Denny Hamlin, awarded in 2006; Joey Logano, the 2009 winner; Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2013); Kyle Larson (2014); Chase Elliott (2016); Erik Jones (2017); William Byron (2018); Cole Custer (2020); Chase Briscoe (2021); Austin Cindric (2022); Ty Gibbs (2023); and Carson Hocevar, who received the title last year in 2024.
Legacy of NASCAR Cup Series Rookie Honors
The history of NASCAR Cup Series Rookie honors stretches back decades, with drivers such as Blackie Pitt, Ken Rush, and Shorty Rollins earning the title in the 1950s. Icons like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon are among past recipients. Over the years, winners have represented a wide range of teams and manufacturers, affirming the diversity of talent entering the series each season. This legacy includes notable winners across eras, such as David Pearson, Sam McQuagg, Alan Kulwicki, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott, to name a few. The full roster of past rookie honorees showcases the pathway from promising newcomer to championship contender for many drivers on the circuit.
What SVG’s Success Means for NASCAR and Trackhouse Racing
Shane Van Gisbergen’s triumph in the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie honors not only caps a memorable debut but also highlights his immediate impact within the competitive landscape. With multiple race victories, a playoff berth, and a clear performance gap over fellow rookie Riley Herbst, SVG joins an elite list of rising stars who have made the most of their inaugural season. This momentum positions both SVG and Trackhouse Racing as key figures to watch as planning for the next season begins, especially at major venues like Phoenix Raceway, where new talents frequently prove themselves on one of NASCAR’s biggest stages.
