In Formula 1, Sergio “Checo” Pérez earned the nickname King of the Streets for his dominance on street circuits. Winning six Grand Prix across 14 seasons isn’t an easy feat to achieve. But when it comes to traditional road courses, his performances have been underwhelming recently. In the 2024 season, he was 10th in the Singapore Grand Prix, DNF’d in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and again managed a dismal 10th in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Naturally, this led fans to question his street-racing prowess and whether he truly is deserving of the title.
On similar notes, after Shane van Gisbergen‘s spectacular debut win in Chicago in 2023, NASCAR anticipated him to be the road course king. With his extensive Supercars background, many believed he would dominate any track with left and right turns. However, at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) a couple of years later, SVG wasn’t even a factor for the win. Now, NASCAR veterans are beginning to wonder: Was his road course magic a one-time phenomenon, or is he simply struggling to adapt to the Cup Series?
Has NASCAR caught up to SVG at COTA? Experts weigh in
SVG had a decent outing at COTA. He started sixth and led 23 laps but faded late. His team pitted from the lead on lap 74, hoping fresh tires would give him an edge. A lap 78 caution bunched up the field. But instead of charging forward, he slipped outside the top 10 before recovering to finish sixth. Known for his prowess on street racing, recent street race performances, including COTA, have raised doubts regarding the Kiwi’s street circuit skills.
On Fast Talk’s popular Green Flag, Black Flag segment, Kyle Petty threw out a bold statement: “The glimmer on Shane van Gisbergen’s gold star is fading.” But instead of agreeing, the panel gave it a black flag. They believe SVG is still a top-tier talent, though his recent struggles have raised questions.
Alexis Erickson was quick to defend van Gisbergen’s abilities, stating, “I think SVG is an incredible talent.” She acknowledged that NASCAR’s Cup drivers are among the best, adding, “NASCAR Cup Series drivers are all very good at what they do.” While SVG’s road course skills are undeniable, his recent performances show that simply being a road course specialist isn’t enough anymore.
Is Shane Van Gisbergen Losing His Edge in NASCAR?
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— PRN (@PRNlive) March 3, 2025
Two years ago, van Gisbergen took the NASCAR world by storm, winning his debut Cup race on the streets of Chicago. In the Xfinity Series, he proved his strength again, securing three wins—all on road courses. However, with each passing race, it seems that the competition is catching up. Kyle Petty then pointed out how data sharing has played a role in SVG’s declining edge.
“We live in a time when data is an open book… Every team out there can look at his data.” The element of surprise that helped him in Chicago is now gone. NASCAR teams analyze every shift, braking point, and acceleration pattern, learning from SVG’s strengths. They can use that knowledge to improve their road course setups and racing tactics when dealing with the driver. At COTA, this was evident—drivers like Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch were able to outpace him when it mattered most.
With the results of COTA behind him, van Gisbergen will look for a better performance at the Shriners Children’s 500.
Can Shane van Gisbergen prove himself on an oval at Phoenix?
The Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway is a crucial test for Shane van Gisbergen. Unlike the street circuits where he made his name, Phoenix is a one-mile, low-banked oval—a track that demands a completely different skill set. For SVG, who has thrived on road courses, mastering ovals is key to proving his long-term potential in NASCAR.
So far in 2025, SVG’s performances have been a mixed bag. He struggled at super speedways, finishing 33rd at the Daytona 500 and 23rd at the Ambetter Health 400. His best showing came at COTA, where he led laps and finished sixth. But road courses aren’t enough. NASCAR is dominated by ovals, and SVG needs to show he can contend on them, too.
Phoenix Raceway isn’t just another oval; it’s one of the unique tracks on the schedule. With a dogleg front stretch and varying banking, the track challenges drivers with its rhythm and demands precision in tire management. Seasoned Cup veterans, who have mastered these tracks for years, will test SVG’s adaptability.
For van Gisbergen, this race isn’t just about finishing well. It’s about proving he belongs. A strong showing at Phoenix could silence the doubters. Another poor result could further fuel the argument that his NASCAR success is limited to road courses. Sunday’s race could be a defining moment in his 2025 season.
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