Last season, Harrison Burton’s surprise victory at Daytona during the closing stretch of the regular season attracted a barrage of criticism from the NASCAR community. Burton was languishing in the 30s on the points table at the time. And his win catapulted him into playoff contention. This didn’t sit well with fans or drivers.
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The likes of Bubba Wallace, who had performed better all year, missed the cut. Fast forward to 2025, and a similar controversial scenario might be looming. This time, it involves Shane van Gisbergen.
Denny Hamlin was asked whether he’d be bothered if the Trackhouse Racing driver were to snag a win at a road course and secure a playoff berth while sitting in the 30s in points. His answer was sporting and provided food for thought, especially for the critics.
“Road-course racing is more part of our schedule now. So I don’t think I’d have an issue with it. I think the fans, more than likely, when and if it happens and Shane is in the 30s in points, they’ll probably have something to say about it,” said Hamlin on Actions Detrimental.
“But it’s that’s what he was built to do – is come over here and win some road course races and then be somewhat competitive as he could on the ovals. And so you got to go through 31 or 32 races of pain to get to the five or six that you really got a shot at it,” added Hamlin.
Van Gisbergen’s background in the Australian Supercars Series, which exclusively runs on road courses, has given him a clear advantage in NASCAR’s road events. When SVG stormed onto the NASCAR scene with a win at the Chicago Street Race, it was evident that such courses were the New Zealander’s natural habitat.
SVG showcased his strength further during his first full-time season in the Xfinity Series last year. While still learning the ropes on ovals, all three of his victories came on road courses, and he closed out the year 12th in the standings.
That said, SVG delivered some good oval results as well, finishing third at Atlanta, fourth at Indianapolis, and sixth at Phoenix last year. Slowly but surely, he’s beginning to become well-rounded as a driver.
Hamlin explains SVG’s lackluster performances in the Cup Series
In his first full-time Cup Series campaign this season, Van Gisbergen has found the going tough. Aside from a sixth-place finish at COTA — a road course — his only other result inside the top 20 came at Darlington.
Understandably, he may be biding his time till the schedule turns in his favor, when more road course events are staged. Hamlin, though somewhat surprised at the extent of SVG’s struggles, explained why.
“It’s hard!” said the JGR driver. “Running in the Cup series is hard, the competition’s hard.”
He stated that Gisbergen is unlearning much of what he knew and starting from scratch, trying to master a new discipline in real-time. And Hamlin noted that it’s not easy for someone to suddenly change their style of racing.
Hamlin added that the Trackhouse Racing team is throwing SVG into the deep end, hoping he can snag a win in Xfinity or on a road course, punch a playoff ticket, and boost their charter value.
With the Mexico road course looming on the schedule, there’s every reason to believe SVG is eagerly counting down the days.
