Shane van Gisbergen: Rookie Sensation
Shane van Gisbergen: Rookie Sensation
Shane van Gisbergen has made a name for himself in the NASCAR world, dominating yet another road course race and solidifying his place as a top contender in the series. The New Zealander has taken the record for most wins in a rookie campaign, surpassing the previous record of three held by Denny Hamlin.
The Road Course King
Van Gisbergen's performance on road courses has been nothing short of impressive, with four wins in his rookie season. He has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, leaving his competitors in the dust with his expert driving skills and strategic race tactics.
The Impact of Van Gisbergen's Success
Van Gisbergen's success on the road courses has not only solidified his place as a top contender in the NASCAR series, but it has also opened doors for other international drivers to make their mark in the sport. His achievements have shown that talent knows no boundaries and that the future of NASCAR is looking bright with a new generation of talented drivers.
About the People Mentioned
Shane van Gisbergen
Shane van Gisbergen is a New Zealand professional racing driver renowned for his versatility across motorsport disciplines, including Supercars, GT racing, and NASCAR.[1][2][3] Born in Auckland, he began his career winning the 2006 New Zealand Formula Ford championship and finishing second in the 2007 Toyota Racing Series before debuting in the Supercars Championship with Stone Brothers Racing that year.[3] In Supercars, van Gisbergen amassed 80 wins over 508 races, securing three drivers' championships in 2016, 2021, and 2022, making him one of the series' most successful drivers.[2][4][6] He claimed three Bathurst 1000 victories (2020, 2022, 2023) and two Jason Richards Memorial Trophies, while also winning the PIRTEK Enduro Cup in 2016 with Triple Eight Race Engineering.[1][3][4] His 2022 season was record-breaking with 21 wins, including a second Bathurst triumph alongside Garth Tander.[1][3] Beyond Supercars, he excelled in endurance racing, winning the 2016 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Bathurst 12 Hour in a McLaren 650S GT3.[1][2][4] He debuted at Le Mans in 2022 and competed in rallying, scoring points on his World Rally Championship debut.[1] Transitioning to NASCAR in 2023, van Gisbergen made history by winning his Cup Series debut on the Chicago street course for Trackhouse Racing—the first modern-era driver and first New Zealander to do so.[1][2][4] In 2024 with Kaulig Racing, he secured three Xfinity Series wins at Portland, Sonoma, and Chicago.[4] He raced full-time in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse, highlighted by a victory at Mexico City and another Chicago win, despite a challenging Daytona 500 start.[3][4] His adaptability on road courses and ovals underscores his ongoing relevance in American motorsport.[2][5]
Denny Hamlin
James Dennis Alan Hamlin, born November 18, 1980, is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE, sponsored by FedEx.[1][2][3][5] As the longest-tenured driver at Joe Gibbs Racing with over 500 career starts, he ranks among the sport's elite, holding fourth in total Cup Series wins (60) and third in poles among active drivers, with victories at 16 of 24 tracks across all styles.[1][2][3] Hamlin debuted in 2006, winning twice as a rookie—the first to qualify for the playoffs—and earning Rookie of the Year honors.[2][3] He has qualified for the playoffs in 13 of 14 full seasons, finishing top-five in points five times, including runner-up in 2010 with a career-high eight wins.[1][2][3][4] Key achievements include three Daytona 500 victories (2016, 2019, 2020), making him one of five drivers to win consecutively; three Southern 500s (2010, 2017, 2021); the 2022 Coca-Cola 600; and the 2015 All-Star Race ($1 million prize).[1][2][3][4] In 2024, he won the Würth 400 at Dover, tying Lee Petty for 12th on the all-time wins list, and reached his 50th victory at Pocono.[2][3][4] Hamlin co-owns 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, fielding NASCAR Cup Series teams.[2][3] In 2025, he recorded six wins, five poles, 14 top-fives, and 18 top-tens across 35 starts, finishing second in standings with 5,031 points.[5] Entering his 21st full season in 2026, he remains a championship contender and respected leader.[3]
