Getty
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The New Zealand racing star Shane van Gisbergen, better known as SVG, has rattled the NASCAR Cup Series yet once again. He won his fifth race of the season and his fifth consecutive road course win on October 5, 2025, by clinching the Bank of America ROVAL 400.
To a person who has been employed as a second spotter at Sonoma for a year or two, it is almost a movie. SVG is now one of the largest threats to the NASCAR sport, and the question is beginning to spread among residents: has the sport ever witnessed such a big vacuum of talent?
From Spotter to Star: The Rise of Shane van Gisbergen
The NASCAR career took off with busy-bodies moments in 2023, where Shane Van Gisbergen debuted in the Cup at the Chicago Street Course and captivated his debut by winning his very first race in the history of the present-day NASCAR. This event immediately set him on the radar, which demonstrated the road-racing skills he had accumulated in the Supercars Championship in Australia.
Since then, SVG has built a highlight reel that’s hard to believe: victories at Watkins Glen, Chicago, Mexico City, and now Charlotte. Each race has proven his ability to adapt to NASCAR’s unique cars and culture faster than anyone expected.
Respected NASCAR spotter and X personality Brett Griffin captured the mood best, writing, “SVG fans around the world are having a helluva year. I’ve never seen anyone go from a second spotter at Sonoma to so successful in Cup so fast.”
That quote says it all. In just a few years, SVG went from quietly observing Cup races at Sonoma in 2022 to mastering the sport from behind the wheel.
NASCAR Cup Series Dominance Sparks Fan Frenzy
At Charlotte’s 2.32-mile ROVAL, Shane van Gisbergen didn’t just win, he dominated. He left seasoned Cup drivers and even former Formula 1 stars struggling to keep pace. His flawless precision on corners and braking zones reinforced what many already believe: SVG is the best road course racer in the Cup field.
Griffin doubled down after the race, saying, “He’s better than any F1 driver to ever sit in a Cup car at a road course by half the planet.” That bold claim set off debates online, but fans mostly agreed.
Bryan Libby posted, “Dude has been wearing out the field, and it’s not close. It is an absolute marvel to watch.”
The buzz even spawned memes comparing Shane van Gisbergen to Cars character Doc Hudson, a mix of humor and admiration that shows just how much the NASCAR community has embraced him.
Eyes on the Future: From Road Courses to Championships
While Shane van Gisbergen’s road course dominance is unmatched, he’s also showing growth on oval tracks, once his weakest point.
Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, Shane van Gisbergen’s journey from a sideline spotter to a Cup Series powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. With each race, he continues to prove that hard work, humility, and pure racing instinct can rewrite NASCAR history.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
More Heavy on NASCAR
Loading more stories