Shane van Gisbergen has been the name on everyone’s lips in NASCAR, thanks to his rise as a road and street course master. Fans and some drivers are ready to call him the best, but not everyone in the garage is jumping on board that hype train. One of the Cup Series’ most experienced drivers, Michael McDowell sees things differently.
For McDowell, the story isn’t as simple as handing over the crown. So, what does McDowell see that others might be missing?
Why Does Michael McDowell See Shane van Gisbergen’s Rise Differently?
McDowell knows a thing or two about tough road racing. He’s got years behind the wheel in sports cars and open-wheel rides, plus he’s always seen as a threat when the NASCAR schedule hits one of those technical tracks. After grabbing a Cup Series win on the Indianapolis Road Course in 2023, McDowell showed he can seal the deal when it counts.
Still, when asked about Gisbergen’s recent dominance, McDowell had a clear take. “I have a different perspective on this,” McDowell said in an interview. “What he’s doing right now is incredible. But he’s not Superman.”
According to McDowell, Gisbergen stands out because of those small details built from his racing background. “He’s doing everything just a little bit better because of his background. He brakes a little later and different going into a turn. His line through turns is a little different. He accelerates a little earlier exiting turns. It’s a matter of feet. But it’s turn after turn, lap after lap.”
Plus, McDowell pointed out that some drivers seem beaten before the green flag ever drops on a road course. Meanwhile, he believes Gisbergen is raising the standard for everyone this year. “He’s pushing all of us to be better. He’s pushing everyone to make some adjustments. And it will happen. It’s just a matter of time.”
What Do the Different NASCAR Journeys of Michael McDowell and Shane van Gisbergen Reveal?
When you look at McDowell and Gisbergen, the paths could not be more different. McDowell’s journey is grounded in more than 15 years of grinding away in NASCAR, chasing opportunity and finding a way to stay relevant, highlighted by that Daytona 500 win. With every season, McDowell’s story is one of sticking around and making good on every shot he gets.
On the flip side, Gisbergen landed with an international reputation already built. The New Zealander is a three-time Supercars champion, and he turned heads by winning in his first Cup Series start on the streets of Chicago in 2023. Since then, the road courses have almost looked too easy for Gisbergen, who has piled up four wins in five starts on those tracks this year.
This level of success has even drawn applause from legends like Jimmie Johnson, who said Gisbergen is in a league of his own right now. Still, both Johnson and McDowell agree on one point: it is too soon to call Gisbergen the greatest ever on these tracks.
Today, McDowell is convinced the rest of the field will catch up before long. The Cup garage is filled with talent, and Gisbergen’s winning streak is forcing everyone else to raise their game. In NASCAR, history shows no one stays on top forever, and now it’s up to the veterans to close that gap.
At the moment, the spotlight sits squarely on Gisbergen and his eye-catching run on the road courses. But if McDowell’s view comes true, the real test will be how long that gap lasts before the chasing pack figures it out, giving fans even more to watch as the 2024-25 campaign rolls on.