Shane van Gisbergen has spent just two years in NASCAR, but he’s already seen enough to notice a culture shift. Coming from Supercars, he entered the Cup and Xfinity Series with the same approach that made him a champion. Since he came from a very different world, he had patience, precision, and respect for equipment. But as the season unfolded, SVG began to realize that not everyone races with the same rulebook.

Lately, drivers and insiders have been discussing how the younger field is performing in the Xfinity Series. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has called it “a different kind of intensity.” Meanwhile, even Cup Series veterans like Denny Hamlin have pointed to how late-race chaos has become routine. For SVG, that difference hit him hard. And when he sat down on Dale Jr’s podcast, his tone said it all. He noticed that there was a major attitude difference between Xfinity and the Cup Series.

Shane van Gisbergen uncovers the issue with Xfinity

When co-host TJ Majors asked whether Cup and Xfinity races felt different, SVG didn’t hesitate. “Oh man,” he said, closing his eyes, “I didn’t even need brakes in that last green-white-checker in Xfinity.” He laughed, but there was frustration underneath. “The disrespect people had for their equipment was pretty eye-opening.”

SVG was talking about one of his first short-track races in Xfinity. This was a classic oval where space is tight and every move counts. On these tracks, restarts can become chaotic, and drivers often push brakes and tires to their limits just to gain an edge. SVG was surprised by how little hesitation some drivers showed, diving hard into corners and testing the limits of their cars.

It was a simple comment, but it cut deep. This is because SVG’s entire career has been built on discipline. The Kiwi knows when to hold back to survive a long race. But in Xfinity, he found drivers pushing three-wide on restarts and dive-bombing corners like the checkered flag was around the next turn. As he put it, the “disrespect” wasn’t just about bumping cars. It was about ignoring the bigger picture. It was almost about tearing up cars and points just to prove a point.

TJ Majors agreed, calling it a fair way to describe how wild the series can get. His response almost mirrored what many Cup veterans have said lately. For many NASCAR personalities, the Xfinity garage sometimes feels more like a weekly brawl than a development ladder. At short tracks like Bristol or Martinsville, where Shane van Gisbergen got his first real taste, contact is part of the game. But there’s a line, and he could tell some drivers have stopped caring where it is.

This prowess and understanding make his recent dominance on road courses stand out, especially for NASCAR analysts. Despite the intensity and roughness of short-track racing, SVG has remained a force to be reckoned with at the Charlotte Roval, capturing his fifth consecutive road course win in 2025.

FOX analyst highlights SVG’s diminishing dominance after Charlotte win

Shane van Gisbergen’s latest victory at the road course drew plenty of attention. However, FOX broadcaster Mamba Smith offered a unique perspective on just how the race unfolded. He highlighted that while SVG’s win looked dominant on paper, the margin and performance told a more nuanced story.

According to Smith, SVG’s mid-race performance revealed subtle struggles. Tire wear and grip levels weren’t where the Kiwi wanted them, and he didn’t have the cornering speed he expected. These challenges weren’t obvious in the broadcast timing or the final leaderboard. Still, Smith emphasized that they shaped the way SVG navigated the Charlotte race.

Smith also shared behind-the-scenes insight from practice and qualifying. He recalled noticing how SVG’s car seemed flawless, only to hear the driver himself admit, “I don’t know who told you that. This is doing nothing what I wanted to do, but it was doing better than the rest of the field.” The comment showed SVG’s candid approach to racing and highlighted a keen insight that makes him so good on road courses.

Looking ahead, Smith suggested that the competition will continue to close in. While SVG clearly has the skill and strategy to win, the evolving field means future races could demand more adjustments and adaptability. His ability to handle those mid-race challenges will likely determine whether his dominance can remain.