Two New Zealanders seem to be ruling American racing circuits in 2025, and they are patting each other’s backs, too. On one side, IndyCar veteran Scott Dixon has claimed a win at Mid-Ohio and earned two more podiums in 14 starts so far this season. And in NASCAR, Shane van Gisbergen continues to dominate the road courses, collecting three wins in his rookie Cup season.
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With his 59th career win, Dixon extended his remarkable streak of winning at least one IndyCar race every season since 2005. SVG, meanwhile, joined elite company in NASCAR, alongside Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson, as one of the four drivers with three or more wins in the Cup Series this year.
That kind of dominance in the first full season is a preserve of special talent. Dixon was asked if SVG’s road course dominance in NASCAR surprised him. The six-time IndyCar champion answered by praising the Trackhouse Racing driver’s skillset.
“It’s good to see Shane doing really well. I don’t think there was really any idea that he wouldn’t. The guy has some huge talent,” said the 45-year-old.
“I think anything that he jumps into, you know, just the feel that he has and the finesse that he has. Obviously, the road courses were going to be [a] pretty big slaughter for him, and it’s definitely worked out that way. But it’s so cool, you know, obviously, to see any Kiwi over here doing really well, and no doubt he was going to,” added Dixon.
Of course, all of SVG’s victories have come on road courses, sparking debate over whether he truly deserves a playoff spot, given his modest results on ovals, the backbone of NASCAR. Yet, voices like Kyle Petty have rallied in his defense.
The No. 88 driver is also working to sharpen his skills on ovals, running additional events outside the Cup Series to close the gap. His P19 finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway marked a step forward compared to his P30 result at Dover the previous weekend.
With two road course races remaining on the schedule, including one in the Round of 12, SVG could even go as far as the Round of 8 in the playoffs. However, his long-term success in NASCAR will hinge on mastering the ovals.
