Shane van Gisbergen has quickly made a name for himself as a formidable competitor on NASCAR road courses, sparking discussions about his potential place among the sport’s all-time greats. Despite van Gisbergen’s impressive debut in the Cup Series and multiple victories, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson emphasizes that the New Zealand driver still has considerable ground to cover before reaching legendary status.
Van Gisbergen’s breakthrough came in 2023 when he won the Chicago street race during his first Cup Series start, surprising many fans and experts. His strong background as a three-time supercar champion led some to expect solid performances on road courses, but few anticipated such swift mastery of the demanding NASCAR circuits.
Van Gisbergen’s Emergence as a Contender on Road Courses
Continuing his momentum in 2024’s Xfinity Series, van Gisbergen secured three victories, all on road courses, which convinced Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks to elevate him to a full-time Cup Series schedule. In the current season, he has already notched three wins in 21 races—all on road courses including Mexico, Chicago, and Sonoma.
The New Zealander’s domination at Sonoma was particularly notable, where he led 97 laps, setting a track record. His string of three consecutive road course wins tied the NASCAR record held by Jeff Gordon, solidifying his reputation as the current “road course king.”
Jimmie Johnson Puts Van Gisbergen’s Achievements into Perspective
Even with these accomplishments, Jimmie Johnson cautions against prematurely declaring van Gisbergen the greatest road course driver in NASCAR history. Johnson compares him to legends like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, whose long careers included multiple road course triumphs and sustained excellence.
Gordon won six road course races between 1997 and 2000, including two streaks of three consecutive victories. Stewart secured eight wins on road courses throughout his Cup career, earning a reputation for exceptional skill on these challenging circuits. Both drivers built their legacies over many years before being recognized as icons.
Johnson, also co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, expressed measured respect for van Gisbergen’s skill while highlighting the need for more time and experience before placing him in the same category as these veterans.
Johnson remarked,
“Man, it’s tough to put that label on the guy, you know, two seasons into driving stock cars. But the conversation is warranted, and I think time will tell. He is in another stratosphere compared to road course racers. Seeing him up against Tony Stewart at his peak, that would have been an interesting moment in time to see peak to peak, even Jeff Gordon.”
—Jimmie Johnson, Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Potential for Van Gisbergen to Join NASCAR’s Road Course Elite
Van Gisbergen’s current trajectory suggests he could eventually be mentioned alongside Stewart, Gordon, and Johnson themselves. Already, he is close to breaking the rookie record for road course wins, currently held by both Johnson and Stewart at three victories during their rookie campaigns. With two more road course events remaining in the season, van Gisbergen has the opportunity to set a new benchmark.
The remainder of the 2024 season will be crucial in determining whether he can sustain his exceptional pace and mature into NASCAR’s greatest road course competitor, a title that has eluded even the most gifted drivers in the series.