It was the year 2006 when Denny Hamlin, the new rookie in the club, astonished all NASCAR drivers with his first victory at Pocono Raceway. To win a race in the rookie year is a big deal, but to win two races adds a driver to an exclusive club. Back in 2006, Hamlin reigned supreme at the Pocono Raceway, and he made the Triangle his stomping ground.
Since his double at Pocono in 2006, Hamlin has bagged seven wins at the racetrack, and that sort of domination is rare. However, in 2025, Shane van Gisbergen identified his playground in road courses and with the third win at Sonoma Raceway, he has joined the likes of Christopher Bell and Hamlin to snag three wins this season. And this rapid rise to stardom and domination hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Shane van Gisbergen’s road course dominance has almost left the other drivers wondering, Do they even have a chance at winning? When SVG is on the track, he has the highest percentage of 33.3% winning in road courses, making him the winngest foreign born driver. Like many in the industry, Brett Griffin, is keeping a close eye on Kiwi driver’s rise in NASCAR. He even made an interesting connection between SVG and Denny Hamlin.
“SVG could stink up a flower shop. And that’s a good thing for him. Three old-fashioned a– whooping, and today he did it where the other studs in the field have way more laps there than he does. It’s kinda like when Denny rolled in and kicked everyone’s ass at Pocono as a young buck.” It’s not that SVG didn’t have any challengers, but even NASCAR’s road course ringers are scratching their heads, unable to figure out how to counter the three-time Supercars champion.
The Trackhouse Racing driver led 97 laps last Sunday, which is the most by any winner on the track, eclipsing Jeff Gordon’s mark of 92 back in 2004. Despite the frantic restarts and challenge by Chase Briscoe, he crossed the finish line 1.128 seconds ahead of the JGR driver, and after surviving three cautions and restarts, this win was indeed special. Even the likes of Chase Elliott, who were on quicker tires, couldn’t make any sizeable gains late in the race.
SVG could stink up a flower shop. And, that’s a good thing for him. Three old fashioned ass whoopings and today he did it where the other studs in the field have way more laps there than he does. It’s kinda like when Denny rolled in and kicked everyone’s ass at Pocono as a young…
— Brett Griffin (@SpotterBrett) July 13, 2025
The likes of Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and even Ty Gibbs weren’t able to topple SVG’s might on road courses. Gibbs had a shot in Mexico, but an untimely caution late in the race foiled his plans to contest against the Trackhouse Racing driver. Then McDowell sent out a clear warning against him ahead of the Chicago race. “I think that he’s had some standout races, there’s no doubt, he’s an amazing talent. But he’s beatable, he’s not unbeatable.”
He stayed firm on his words, cleared SVG for the lead on the first lap and led the entirety of stage 1 in Windy City. But a mechanical issue forced him to relinquish his lead, and once again SVG was out in clear. Even the last lap caution worked out in his favor, perhaps NASCAR could’ve done a better job with it. However, even when Chase Briscoe had a shot to contest for the lead at Sonoma Raceway, he just couldn’t close the gap on the Kiwi driver.
Top drivers compare SVG to the prime Michael Jordan
The top adversary of SVG at the Sonoma Raceway was the No.19 Driver, Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing. However, the only time Briscoe got near to take the lead was when the restarts happened. Even with the well-established team and resources, Briscoe was unable to match the SVG’s trickery and moves. His performances on the road courses are a display of raw and pure talent, which has earned him all the praise, even from his rivals.
“The only opportunity I had was on the restarts. I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s probably what it was like. That guy is unbelievable on road courses. He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series,” Briscoe said after the race.
Even the 2023 NASCAR Champion, Ryan Blaney, is one of the admirers of SVG. “He just has a better understanding of it than a lot of people. A lot of techniques here. It would take 10 years for me to get halfway to what Shane can do with his right foot. I might be done racing by the time I figure it out.” But despite all the praises, it is uncertain how many more years the 36-year-old could keep up the same pace and winning streak. Especially now that NASCAR is heading back on traditional oval race tracks.
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