The king of road courses is the hot topic of discussion these days. Shane Van Gisbergen’s win at Watkins Glen has taken his road course dominance to another level but also raised questions about this deemed glory. Some are beginning to wonder if his dominance on road courses truly defines his greatness in the NASCAR Cup Series.

And then enter Kyle Petty, a seasoned commentator and former veteran. He has finally weighed in on the conversation as he acknowledged SVG’s current form and prowess. However, he has also cautioned against premature evaluation, suggesting that if SVG’s career wins are predominantly on road courses, then the narrative might shift. With the postseason playoff nearing, Petty is suggesting keeping a hold on the horses of SVG’s greatness.

While Petty acknowledges SVG’s current standing as the greatest of the moment in road racing, he also pointed out the potential limitations of such a title. He went on to say, “What if Shane van Gisbergen wins 15 or 20 in his career and they’re all road courses? What are we gonna say then? You know, how are you gonna look at that then? So I think there’s so many variables to this story. Like Brad just said, let’s pump the brakes on the greatness and all this stuff and see how this plays out.”

SVG’s performance in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen was nothing short of spectacular. Gisbergen’s victory not only extended his road course winning streak but also tied him with Denny Hamlin for the most wins in 2025, with four each. His performance further solidified his reputation as a formidable force on road courses, with five wins in 38 career Cup Series starts, placing him among the fastest drivers to reach five wins in the series. The victory also contributed to a strong position in the upcoming playoff, highlighting his potential to make a significant impact in the championship Race.

However, the NASCAR community has been vocal about his recent successes, especially following his victory at Watkins Glen. Many have lauded his exceptional skills on road courses, but opinions remain divided on how this translates to his overall legacy in the sport.

Several figures within the NASCAR community have expressed admiration for SVG’s talent. Consistent performance on road courses has set him apart, earning him accolades from peers and analysts. Despite the praise, some voices within the community urge caution. They argue that while the Kiwi racer’s road course victories are commendable, but it does not necessarily equate to dominance across the entire NASCAR landscape. The emphasis on road courses and recent seasons has skewed perceptions, and some believe that SVG’s true test will come when he faces challenges on oval tracks, where the competition is equally fierce.

One of the variables Kyle Petty alluded to is the current trend favoring road course specialists in NASCAR. With the racing calendar increasingly focused on road racing, drivers like SVG who have a strong background in this discipline have a competitive edge. Racing in the Supercars series and being a three-time champion has definitely helped him and this shift has led to a surge in road course victories, raising questions about whether this trend truly reflects the drivers. Overall skill is more indicative of the changing dynamics of the sport. The NASCAR community is keenly watching how SVG adapts to the unique challenges of oval racing, which differs significantly from road course dynamics. And the driver himself has talked about his dream of winning on an oval track.

SVG Sounds Confident About Oval Track Mastery Amid Playoff Hopes

While SVG has matched Denny Hamlin with four wins this season, his journey on oval tracks remains a work in progress. The three-time Supercar champion has shown consistent improvement, and he believes that both he and the No. 88 team are steadily advancing as the season unfolds.

And now with the playoffs nearing, as the doubts about SVG’s reign continue, oval tracks remain his kryptonite. Reflecting on his performances on oval tracks and what to expect, he shares, “The preparation we undertake isn’t limited to road courses, it is a weekly commitment. As I’ve said a lot of times over the last few weeks, I feel like we’ve gotten a lot better, especially on the ovals, and it’s been cool working with a great bunch of people, and just to share four wins with everyone and seeing how much it meant to everyone when you’re high diving during the burnout, you can see how into it they are. It’s so cool.”

However, SVG’s top oval finish in the cup series occurred at Martinsville last November, where he secured 12th place. In the Xfinity Series, he achieved a commendable third-place finish at Atlanta. Reflecting on the prospect of winning an oval race, he remarked, “It’s obviously something to dream about winning on an oval, and superspeedways. I’ve had some pretty good moments there. Last year, I think Talladega….Kaulig was a smaller team, dad was on the front row of the pit box helping with the strategy or talking with Travis Mack on the strategy. He loves it.”

The final 10 races of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are mostly held on ovals, including Darlington Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Phoenix Raceway. The Charlotte Motor Speedway rival stands out as the only non-oval, adding variety and extra challenge to the playoff schedule.

These tracks will test drivers’ skills across both high-speed oval and technical road course racing, making the championship battle unpredictable and exciting. There is no doubt that SVG will deliver on road courses, but his performance on ovals still remains a question mark. But as the regular season inches closer to the postseason, all eyes will be on SVG to see how far he gets in the playoffs.