Did Shane van Gisbergen Embarrass NASCAR Drivers?

Kyle Larson discusses Shane van Gisbergen's victory and then van Gisbergen also meets with reporters after winning his first NASCAR Cup start at the Chicago Street Race.
#nascar #racing #shanevangisbergen #kylelarson
***thumbnail photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images courtesy of NASCAR Media, video also courtesy of NASCAR Media

[@truckerk]

This race was a joy to watch. I don't think the NASCAR guys should be embarrassed. It's not what they normally do. If it becomes a thing. Some of these incredible NASCAR drivers will learn from SVG.

[@BoldRam]

That's SVG's bread and butter. Shane said the big difference was that he was used to committing to getting close to the walls and braking zones. 2 completely new concepts to oval racing. I thought the Nascar guys were too humble. Kyle B was like, yea I've raced with him, I knew he was gonna be fast, and he was.

[@radec1744]

​@@BoldRamI thought road courses were a main part of NASCAR's calendar

[@BoldRam]

@@radec1744 yea they have been but a street circuit is a different ballgame again.

[@replicated]

Nah. He didn't embarrass the drivers, he just took them to class.

[@dennisb-trains23]

Schools out!

[@irvan36mm]

As far as the road courses that Nascar races at, this is nothing to SVG. Just the cars and racers are different.

[@threadtapwhisperer5136]

Exactly. As long as they are assessing their sound thrashing this way, where they are trying to figure out whether they suck or SVG is that good or what. Constructive criticism, hell, even if you bring it onto yourself, that's what I think brings excitement to a race series. I'd say the other drivers are thinking they better look over their recent race data. SVG walked past damn near everyone. Like a damn bawse!

[@jackstahlbush]

DON"T FORGET HE WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CAR FOR HIM ///

[@coopersrace7277]

Here in Australia the Supercars racing is hard, close and unforgiving. The difference with SVG is that he out thinks then intimidates and subsequently out drives the competition. Added to that he is driving some sort of race car across multiple disciplines almost every week. When he can’t get in a car he is racing RC cars. If he is coming to the USA, those NASCAR drivers are gonna be in a world of hurt!

[@gregsimon9061]

This guy is just the coolest dude ever, gracious and humble, a true champion. This street course was awesome to watch, congrats to nascar and Trackhouse Racing on a fantastic race.

[@antoinep9733]

So refreshing to hear polite journalists asking good questions. I think the rest of the world can learn something from American motor racing in this regard.

[@BertoBringsIt]

There’s nothing to be embarrassed by when SVG wins. He’s so much more than any “road course ringer” NASCAR has seen before. His feel for a car and overall car control is borderline supernatural. Make no mistake, a Supercar and NASCAR have similar platform, but are very different cars in how they handle and make their speed. When you get beat by one of the best in the world in a tin top, all you can do is learn. He’s podiumed on debut in WRC2, won D1 (drift) GP on debut in NZ, won in international GT3 races, world time attack and gives World of Outlaws stars a good shake on dirt ovals in sprint cars.

[@timechanger9162]

I don’t feel he’s a way better driver I believe it’s more he’s used to this type of car. He’s used to heavy cars with heavy breaks. Like Kyle Busch said he’s about 6+ year ahead of the field not to mention he’s used to these types of tracks. Close tight space. If he went to Watkins glen it’d be a different story. Plus the stack up really helped him gain a lot. If not for that idk if he gets to the top 2

[@bobsnotmyuncle3956]

@@timechanger9162 i don't think the stack up benefited him in anyway. he was 18th before the pile up and then 18 after all the cars sorted back before the restart. the cars are not really similar. different side to drive on, less horsepower, locked diff, smaller tires, aerodynamics over the top of the car, flat shifting, car not riding on the bump stops no outside mirrors. i know Nascar went to Aus to look at the Supercars series to see their new generation of cars and patterned the gen 3 after them. it''s not a direct copy. if he goes to watkins Glen, he would also do quite well. this guy drives anything on 2 or 4 wheels.

[@Matt_Wilson01]

@@timechanger9162okay send a yank down to race a v8 supercar around Bathurst and then let’s see what you think

[@BertoBringsIt]

​@@timechanger9162 NASCAR drivers are really talented, but like Larson said, SVG showed there's a lot of room to improve. And I think Denny hit it on the head when he was trying to think of the advantages SVG had...but then realising the what SVG was up against was even greater. Then settled on SVG just being an incredible driver. Kyle was being Kyle tbh, and with a whole lot of copium thrown in...so the usual from the past 19 years really. Almost every excuse he had falls apart EXCEPTIONALLY quickly. Kyle's been racing these cars since Daytona 2022, SVG has only been racing them since March 2023. The platform is totally different to what SVGs raced in Australia/NZ previously and he's said he doesn't really like the 2023 car in Aus. Not to mention SVG was on the opposite side of the car, shifting with a different hand in a totally different country, a completely unfamiliar championship with different procedures and no idea how the other drivers race.

[@axlehammerfoot5979]

@@timechanger9162 new car, new track, wheel on the opposite side....these cars have little in common. Kyle acknowledged when they raced together in the past he was the quicker driver. Watkins Glen SVG would maul you're lot...thats his bread and butter. He was sat 3rd and had to pit, popped back out in 18th and still spanked the grid. cope more buddy....you right turning nascar bums have got a shit ton to learn. Even the drivers admitted he was on another level.

[@noahross1548]

Embarrass is an understatement to be honest he put on a clinic!!! We call that “ a good ol a$$ whooping” over here in west central Missouri!!!😂😂😂😂

[@kalitaylor9064]

"put on clinic" so that's what that means. Thank you for explaining

[@mrhatty0514]

SVG delivered a LONG overdue serving of humble pie to the NASCAR sphere. He didn’t have to wreck anyone, he didn’t have to cheese anyone. Every pass was calculated and clean. His pace is undeniable. And it’s not just Supercars talent this guy has. Every tin-top series he jumps into, he’s immediately a force to be reckoned with.

[@Naoj2024]

Humble pie to who..? Surly not to drivers like Larson or Elliott ..? Did you hear Kyle Larson before the race..?? Kyle was like floored at the foot work on the pedals that SHANE was able to do..?! He was working the pedals like a super accomplished piano player ..! But this is only 1 race Lad .. Carl Edwards beat Marcus Ambrose on the last lap on a road course if you can remember that..? I think the only drivers that needed humble pie over drove their Hot Rods to keep up and stuffed the cars into the tire barriers !! I do believe some drivers like Larson and Elliott didn’t overdrive their cars and got some points and a great finish..! Now maybe we can lure those stuffy F-1 auto pilots to try the wheel on a Cup car…! 🇺🇸🏁😷

[@mrhatty0514]

@@Naoj2024 That’s exactly my point. This sport’s best drivers were flabbergasted at what SVG did, and saw just what this car is capable of and how high the skill ceiling to drive it can go. You cannot compare SVG to Ambrose. As good as he was, SVG stat for stat dominates him, and has proven to be a much more versatile driver. Tin top, open wheel, drifting, pavement, dirt, he has a long list of wins to his name in every discipline of motorsport. He will go down in history as not just the greatest driver in his field, but one of the greatest of all time. It doesn’t matter that it was just one race. Nothing can diminish what SVG achieved, and how effortless he made it look. A complete outsider to stock car racing in his first outing put the hurt on the regulars in a big way. And he didn’t have to make waves or get involved in any controversy to do it.

[@Naoj2024]

@@mrhatty0514 Well now … if your a racer you gotta love SVG’S talent and winning attitude. BUT the only drivers he humbled are the ones that will never dominate on any road course anyway… I do not understand your words Long overdue humble pie? You are his mother or you think he’s next to GOD ….

[@FlannelGuy_1978]

In my humble opinion, a good 'ass kicking' on the big stage is healthy for these guys...it shows there is room to grow, and SVG really showed everyone the potential this NextGen car has on a street course. Kenny, as you have mentioned, some of the greatest drivers can be found in Dirt racing. I definitely agree, but as NASCAR fans, some the best drivers we'll never see compete are in some of these other series as well. Through Project 91, I'm glad we saw this remarkable talent from the V8 Super Car Series as he has proven to be among the greatest drivers we've seen compete!

[@jeffreyoldham55]

Did SVG embarrass the NASCAR Cup drivers? Yes. Is he forgiven? Yes. Because besides being a damned good driver, he is a very decent bloke. Good on ya, mate! If I had but one complaint, it would be that an American did not win on Fourth-of-July weekend. However, the trade off of great international publicity for NASCAR was well worth it.

[@lastactionhero7245]

well said

[@samharris3508]

Embarrassed isn't a correct description. And if used in this context, undersells his talent. Suggesting he was an underdog when, in actuality he isnt. Especially since he's racked up 80 wins and is a 3 time V8 Supercars champion. Street racing in very similar cars is HIS discipline. Cup guys are still relatively new to the Gen 7 car, and have never run these cars on a road course. Now, if it was an oval race and he spanked them, then it would be an embarrassing venture for the Cup regulars.

[@AgunziLFC]

You are correct on the international publicity, im from NZ and if it wasnt for SVG, i wouldnt have seen any of this race. Im sure a lot of Kiwi's and Aussies were the same. Much prefer the street racing myself, but if he ( or any other kiwi ) do the oval courses, i'd give it a look.

[@westentrance]

What embarrassment? Towards the finish, his tires had 16 less laps on them than his nearest competitors. Thats a big deal on a twisty street course. That’s due to great pit strategy, not great driving. What was impressive was how he acclimated himself to everything switched around in a left-hand drive car. That had to be hard.

[@landonmurray3814]

No, just one of those rare occasions that a guy can hop in a car and instantly use all his skills. To me its about the same as when larson hopped in a late model and chased some wins. Hope we can keep bridging the gap between Australian/New Zealand drivers, those guys love our racing so we should show some love back

[@stevenhastings1480]

Keen as on NASCAR when Ambrose was racing saw his first win at Watkins Glen all those years ago lost interest after he left now I'm back with svg by the way he's racing in Townsville Queensland this week V8 supercars anyone interested in watching him race

[@leesamuelson]

also what impressed me was in an interview he said as he was t4rying to get the car numbers of cars he was racing against and looking ahead to see how they were racing others so when he made his run he had an idea of how he could race that particular driver!! THAT is incredible to be thinking of stuff like that while most are so focused on just making it around that course. hard to fathom doing all that plus driving a strange car on the other side and shifting with other hand not using the clutch like he is used to and still get a mental picture of how certain cars will race you when you get to them. THAT is a true racer that has a very high Race IQ and race craft!

[@TODDY_2_FINGERS]

Brand new Aussie fan here 🏁🏆What the NASCAR drivers need to take note of is, what SVG did to them, is what he does on a very regular basis to the entire field of v8 supercars - ZERO embarrassment needed here.

[@stayz1724]

Just waiting for the movie now - Days of thunder 2 - the SVG story - Taking it to the streets. Anthony Starr (Banshee) - Playing the Giz. Well done SVG....looking forward to being a witness to your skill, talent and career and ongoing success. You, Scott D, Scott M and the rest of the NZ driver fraternity doing us all super proud around the world 🌎

[@hamishbrown1070]

I’m a kiwi and what I loved most is the attitude of the American drivers, Just so proud of there comments they made, all honest and fair. Tricky track with the 3 different surfaces and the weather. Would have been a handful. More street courses for sure! Makes racing really exciting. But I’ve always thought SVG is one of the best drivers in the world in any car, racing so many disciplines and excelling in all of them.

[@xii_bones_iix5051]

i love how people around the world describe themselves, i got in trouble at my job for giving people nicknames LOL i work with a guy who has one arm and we goof around so much i started calling him solo, our manager heard it one day and brought us into the office and asked him if he wanted to file a complaint about what id said. he said sir if you found my other arm and its up your ass i dont think i want it back dude is legend old as dirt mean as hell i love salty vets

[@mikegray5064]

He showed them you don't have to wreck them to beat them

[@digsstuff]

So many ways I can take this, all of them positive. Let's just start with the street course in Chicago as a whole. The race was great. I'm a fan of many different disciplines and series, many of them having street courses on the schedule, and this race ranks right up there with all of them. NASCAR did it's homework beforehand, set up a good street course, put on a good race, and had an awesome, history making outcome. You can't ask any more from the race as a whole. Even shortening the race was a good call. I know many folks might grumble over that, but this is a situation where, not only the lighting situation but you also have to take into account permits for using the streets. NASCAR only had so much time to get a race in and they made all the right calls. So my thoughts on Chicago as a whole? About damn time and pulled off to perfection. SVG winning this race was the cherry on top. I have watched him race the Aussie V8 Supercars and he always impresses. There are NASCAR regulars that can be called road course ringers, but a street course is a whole new animal. Not saying that the current crop of drivers can't run them, but saying for the majority of them, this is a first as well as a first for NASCAR. The field as a whole was awesome and you can tell that many of the drivers were on a constant learning curve getting better with each lap. Back to the original point. You have your road course ringers, but SVG is also a street course specialist so I am not surprised by this win, in fact I welcome it. This shows that the NASCAR drivers are indeed some of the best in the world. So congrats to SVG and hope to see him do more races in the future. Last thought on this. SVG's win did something that NASCAR hasn't has for a while. This race put NASCAR in the international spotlight in a positive manner. Myself, I have always thought NASCAR needed to make that next step to make it's self bigger. The series is, and for the last few decades, been huge, lets not take that for granted, but NASCAR still has tons of room to grow and get bigger than what it is now. I could go on about how NASCAR, a number of years ago, literally lured drivers from other countries and disciplines, to come race here. The reason why was 2 fold. First is the major elephant in the room. Money, pure and simple, NASCAR generated the money to make it worth those drivers while to race here. JPM, Marcos, Kimi all came here with that being a basis. Second was the competition which for them was very stiff, but the racers they are, they found ways to over come it and be successful. Not taking anything away from SVG at all. On a side note, NASCAR fielding a car at Le Mans and doing well was another good step. I could go on and on, but to shorten this up NASCAR needs those step to go from a very good and successful national series, to an international series. If you made it this far just know I been watching NASCAR since the Daytona in 1979 (The Perfect Storm) to now. So I have seen the ebbs and flow of the sport from age 7 then to almost 52 now.

[@mashy0001]

The mutual respect is great to see - listen to what he said about his expectations if he gets to make his oval debut. Nobody is seriously talking about embarrassment and I applaud Larson for injecting a little bit of humour into it.

[@idiotsinc]

Don’t stress guys he takes the field to task week in week out here in Australia very regularly. He has a massive racing IQ, and insane ability to look after tyres better than anyone, and he drives anything with 4 wheels. And while I seem like a super fan I don’t like the guy but I know a quality driver when I see one and he is quality.

[@zatoichi3134]

what is it with these kiwi drivers, Scott Dixon is also renown for looking after tires and for conserving gas as well and like SVG is a cool dude, Brendon Hartley does the same in the 24hr Le Man, a two time champion. there's something in the water down there lol!

[@daveweller9550]

@@zatoichi3134it’s because we’re so poor and tyres are really expensive

[@idiotsinc]

@@daveweller9550 beat me to it. If Australia is far away ENZED is even further, so you just have to do more with less. Stinkin Kiwis 🤣🤣🤣

[@zatoichi3134]

@d-marie very informative thank you.

[@nuztuz903]

he hasn't since gen 2 tho. kosteki has been more than a match for shane

[@grantnewby3756]

It's his car control that makes him special. He has a knack for feeling out a car and the surface. Can save the tires for when it is needed and with a good pit team he comes out in front very often. He loves a challenge and has the mindset to understand it and then apply his skills to make it work. Not everyone has that in spades as he does.

[@flotzilla1126]

Those last few laps were so impressive. The exchange for the lead had me jump out of my seat. I haven't done that for a NASCAR race for years. The comments from Larson were awesome and respectful. So impressed by SVG!

[@liamgross7217]

Bring a round of NASCAR to Bathurst in Australia. On that track it would be a show and half.

[@53glowe]

@@liamgross7217 Absolutely...make it happen 👍🙂

[@liamgross7217]

@@53glowe watching this race they would be a spectacle navigating the mountain.

[@daltonmoon6493]

Shout out to team Trackhouse for giving him equipment that could win

[@rowieg2172]

Svg is probably one the best all round driver in the world in my opinion, he’s mastered v8 Supercars and has raced all around the world in everything from gt3 to drifting to off road rallying . He’s clearly good enough to go in Indy cars or f1 without a doubt .his last 30 laps around Bathurst every year is off the charts holding qualifying laps at the end of the race for so long 😮. Svg is a 1 in a million driver

[@ChoirFan1]

I watched the highlights (I don’t normally watch NASCAR) and the race appeared chaotic, to my eyes, in relation to driving line and car positioning. For large periods there were multiple cars side by side (sometimes 4 abreast, approaching turns!) and not able to take the best line through the turns. Compare that to the Australian Supercars series where cars are seldom side by side, other than in distinct overtaking manoeuvres. SVG is one of the best at sitting on the rear bumper, getting a tow and quickly and efficiently overtaking and getting back into the optimal driving line. Clearly the style of track and, therefore racing, suits him far more than drivers more used to ovals. He’s also a demon in the wet…in Australian Supercars, anytime there was a wet track, SVG always had an additional edge.

[@ray.shoesmith]

Drivers: He schooled us SVG: Yeah, I was a little bit weak there

[@portsboy1]

He done whooped em at thier own game. If Larson is in awe you know SVG is money. Fun to watch.

[@robbo4445]

Kyle Larson has a a great attitude towards the situation. He has a new fan here in New Zealand

[@heavenlyblue]

Why are so many Nascar drivers either sons of former drivers, grandsons of car owners, etc? Are they Nascar drivers because of their driving skills, or their last name? I think there are many if not millions of people who would be better race car drivers than the current crop of drivers, and have heard current Nascar drivers say similar things. As one example, if I remember correctly, Joey Lagona said on Kenny's KZbin video interview that who becomes drivers are based more on their bringing money (sponsors), and not necessarily skills, and that there were plenty of good drivers who ae not drivers in Nascar as they do not have the money. I think SVG is a very talented and experienced race car driver, who showed the current Nascar drivers what talent looks like in his very first Nascar race. Sorry for long post.

[@WastdTrashPanda]

Nope, he just showed how good he is. He won 21 out of 34 races in supercars last year. If he can adapt to ovals, he'll be damn good in nascar.

[@MrGutfeeling]

Wow. To win with all the little things new to him (steering wheel on the left-hand side, gauges set in imperial, different tyres, out of practice using regular gear stick (plus it's with his right hand instead of his left) etc), is incredible. And also wow: the interviewers are all so polite, it's oozing politeness!

[@kwasg3]

Watching V8 supercar, one thing they do better than the rest of the world is in race communication to the fans live on tv. They keep no secrets and explain everything they do in real time, and why, and what they hope to gain. Congrats Shane, and hopefully next time he runs the commentators will learn to say his name!!

[@EarthlingPete]

A bit late in replying, but yes, I think the commentary for Supercars is probably the best in the world for the fans. Supercars realize that the whole racing circus is only possible because of the advertising revenue, and the money they gain from it comes from people like us who watch the races and buy the products of the advertisers. To keep us, the target audience, watching they go out of their way to inform us of what is happening in the pits, how the race is progressing, and what problems the cars are having. They have a dedicated pit reporter who, as part of the contract with the teams, is allowed to go into the team's garages and talk to people at any time, and they are contract-bound to answer. One of the best reporters is Mark Larkham (and ex-driver himself so he knows the tracks and the strategies) who is exceptional in explaining technical aspects of the cars and fuel strategy, and they also have some of the best coverage of races with a lot of "in-car" cameras and cameras around the course. I've almost given up on watching F1 because we learn NOTHING of what's happening in the pits, etc., compared to what we learn in Supercars, and the result is less informative and less interesting. I also think Supercars has the best on-screen race order visual because we see who is in whatever position, how many positions they have won or lost, etc., and this running order is constamtly updated and refreshed (unlike some races where it only changes once per lap, which is bloody annoying when we see a big crash but have no idea how the order has been affected until a lap has been completed).

[@mjr320]

i would love to see more of the top Nascar drivers come and do Bathurst or Sandown or even some of our street circuits even just to get a lil more experience on the street courses

[@emmwal8084]

Gold coast 600 used to have drivers from various motorsports come be co drivers with the supercars teams. It was fantastic

[@russe19642]

Bathurst would freak them

[@liamgross7217]

I’d like to see a round of NASCAR at Bathurst.

[@53glowe]

@@liamgross7217 I hear you brother 👍

[@stevecam724]

Sadly we never got to see Gis's 18th to 1st comback, we only get to hear how much drivers enjoyed it.

[@Johnnosmitho]

Shanes car has dash cam vid from race, no commentary but full race.

[@stevecam724]

@@Johnnosmitho yes I've seen the reverse camera video from his car it's of token value. A split screen view would have been better as most people are saying.

[@Daniel-dg3np]

The guy is worried about the metric system while passing half the field to win. Classic.

[@Draco_Alpha]

what a chad. lol

[@RodimusPrime]

Imagine a guy that can work his way to the front on a road course without wrecking anyone? This generation of Nascar drivers are terrible they cant do anything without slamming into each other

[@Geno5]

Rubbin is racin

[@RodimusPrime]

@@Geno5 rubbing isnt going into a corner 10mph faster than everyone ahead of you or dive bombing a corner you know you cant make plowing into everyone else.

[@travharrell1713]

@@Geno5 so sad.

[@travharrell1713]

That's cause they grew up watching dale sr get away with wrecking everybody since he couldn't pass anyone cleanly.

[@RodimusPrime]

@@travharrell1713 oh please he passed 17 cars in 5 laps cleanly at Talladega in 2000 with Kenny

[@mgers75]

That was a great soundbite of self reflection from Larson

[@nicholasstephens389]

Quick note to all ...all new Zealanders are like Shane .relaxed down to earth

[@cody95]

The more I look at SVG’s track record, the more it makes sense. Dude isn’t some scrub. He’s a championship winning veteran and an expert on street tracks already

[@brycebeagle3647]

Embarrassed maybe if the guy was a rookie to auto racing but he's a 3 time super car champion. He has more experience road racing then anybody else on that track. They should feel proud they could compete with him on a road track. The 31 was super impressive and Larson and Elliot are true wheel men. :)

[@andymills2985]

Really showed the advantage of using the clutch to downshift

[@stephenmorphett1340]

Street circuits is Shane's main discipline, he's a great driver for sure. How would he go against these guys on the oval circuits they usually race on remains to be seen! Let's see him on a big oval track & them @ Bathurst! That'd be interesting!

[@maxfish4770]

He would be back half for sure on ovals, don't think he will do it but

[@brendamattingly3787]

He won the race because of Darien Grubb being a great crew chief, Tony Stewart won championship with Darian & should have kept him at SHR Not to late to bring him back

[@jjmckay6man1]

I haven't seen a show of passing cars on a road type circuit like that since Mark Martin in the 1993 Bud at the glen. Fantastic performance by SVG and congrats to him. Anyone who hasn't watched that race I suggest you do. it's here on youtube.

[@packisbetter90]

The most impressive one of I've ever seen still is 2018 Kyle Busch at Watkins glen. Went from like 31st after a bad pit stop or something to 3rd in like 25 laps no caution. It was the race chase Elliott got his first win at

[@jjmckay6man1]

@@packisbetter90 martin won that race. He also won the next 2 races in 94 and 95 at the glen with the same car. martin had to come from the back like at least 2 times and maybe 3. due to stripped lug nut and stud threads. they only ran 2 road courses a year back then also.

[@johnrau2873]

And mark was pretty respectful This guy reminds me of him

[@jjmckay6man1]

@@johnrau2873 absolutely agree!

[@FrequencyOfThought]

Short answer: Yes... But the long answer is, He embarrasses other pro-level road course racers as well so I suppose it's fair.. He acted like he was racing rookies. I think it added to the stigma of NASCAR drivers only being able to turn left on an oval.. It goes to show maybe the line up in NASCAR isn't the best there is. Lots of last names driving cars because of family history and not based on talent alone...

[@bsexishood]

Or.... hear me out... svg is a v8 super car driver beating other drivers in a v8 race car who also didn't have experience at this circuit. Makes total sense that he would do well

[@Draco_Alpha]

yea, i agree with you... NASCAR drivers really aren't that great when you compare them with drivers from other series. what makes them "great" in the eyes of the fans is marketing, plain and simple. what makes SVG different is that he doesn't need marketing to be known... his reputation precedes him, and his career has been almost entirely skill-based. raw talent demands an audience, and our favorite Kiwi is no exception.

[@10dogz93]

Nope. I never heard of him before Chicago, but that guy is one hell of a driver.

[@j.r.chance739]

Gotta give the Trackhouse shop a shout out, it's obvious that they're putting out some fast hotrods and have the talent to win. Congratulations Shane for winning in your first ever Nascar start!! That's just awesome. Maybe Suarez will win at the next road course . Thanks Kenny for the awesome videos you post!💪🏽🏁

[@bucknertarsney7674]

It was so cool to watch and Shane do his work. He made a new fan!

[@TechnikMeister2]

Not at all. There are few as quick on a street circuit anywhere in the world than SVG. He put on a master class from 15 years of doing it and three Supercars Championships. He was the first to say that he would be years behind on the oval tracks.

[@jhensby1]

Kenny, SVG has enormous respect for the Cup series drivers.. he has said repeatedly how amazing the racing is on the Super Speedways like Talladega and Daytona.. and how much talent you need to drive for hours at 190 mph lap speeds inches apart with 38-40 car fields. Cup drivers do little racing on street circuits or road courses so they can't be expected to have the racing-style expertise street circuits require .. if Christopher Bell had not crashed out when he did he would have been very hard to beat as would have been Denny Hamlin.. but if those two guys 'had' been upfront with 10 laps to go and Shane had got to them it would have been one heck of a 10 laps to watch. Kenny, you should try and get SVG on your show for a chat.. I am sure he would be up for that.

[@petek6522]

He did what a road pro does, it was impressive

[@terks43]

No, SVG is one of the best drivers in the world (up there with Hamilton and Alonso) and he’s probably the best in the world when it comes to adapting to different disciplines of racing. He’s a monster.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

He is not close to any of the top 10 F1 drivers.

[@nathanmatthey6282]

Yeah he definitely doesnt compare to any F1 drivers but it is a different class though

[@ronstewart9792]

I don't think he embarassed the Nascar guys but the show he put on was awesome to watch and he seems like such a nice guy. Ron

[@asparceproton1]

What Kyle was talking about driving in front of him is exactly what I experienced in an iRacing practice with SVG. We're running GT3s at Bathurst and he ends up 2 seconds or so behind me. Remarkably I manage to hold the gap consistent through the first couple of turns and all the way up the mountain. At this point I'm feeling good about myself but know I'm gonna have to send it hard down the hill. As I try doing this, SVG closes 1.5 seconds on me like it's nothing. I couldn't believe it.

[@jamesbaumer5438]

I do think he exploited their weakness of not being able to pass someone without leaning on them heavily. I think they were afraid of the criticism that would come if they put the bumper on him to move him out of the way which they do to each other weekly. Nice to see clean racing for a change

[@DreamstoRealityAutomotiveTV]

Goes from right hand drive cars to left hand drive, and smokes everyone. That in itself shows the most. Definitely a specialist and also proves again, these race cars are road racing cars, for the simple fact he could adapt that quick.

[@mikejones2830]

I want to see them do the street course every year but move it to different city's yearly. I thought the race was great 👍

[@spaceinvader992]

I agree Mike, we have 3 or 4 here in Australia and also a double header week with F1. It's just one big party

[@stevenhastings1480]

Why don't they throw lol Longbeach in and Houston

[@gordowg1wg145]

"Embarrassed" is used WAY too often, and usually when it isn't appropriate - as Shane said, he has a lot more experience of that sort of real street racing, and on different tracks it could have been very different. What the NASCAR guys will take from this is that there is still something for them to work on, to get faster on these road courses, and the good guys will improve. At this level, there should be no drivers making excuses, because they're just a reason for them not to learn and get better. For those that do watch NASCAR, you've probably noticed how the drivers will often use slightly different lines, especially during practice, so they can get a feel for the track and how it changes over time, and how the car's reactions to the track, fuel loads, tyre wear, temperature, etc change the way the track needs to be driven.

[@neilr4867]

A lot of these guys came from going around in circles. It's pretty much a different sport. Shane is as good a tin-top circuit racer as you'll get, as well as being a street race specialist. There was an F1 world champ in that field and he was waxed by him too.

[@leoahearn7382]

US NASCAR drivers spend all week planning how they are gonna execute paybacks on other drivers rather than improving their craft. The post race reactions from COTA 2023 by the foreign drivers are a great reference point on how NASCAR driving mentality works versus other sports. I’m glad the new car is safer and an advancement in many levels but it’s also a better battering ram which is inhibiting the drivers from being better drivers.

[@Draco_Alpha]

yeah... and that right there speaks to a significantly different culture in NASCAR than practically every other form of motorsports out there, particularly in Europe. there are stiff penalties for track limits violations and aggressive driving, and if a driver engages in unsportsmanlike conduct (such as losing his cool and throwing something at another driver on track for example) he would not be allowed to compete ever again. there's a definite respect inherent to other forms of motorsport that is sorely lacking in NASCAR, and to see such a high-class driver race cleanly, confidently, and respectfully was absolutely a refreshing thing to see. as a man, i love to see respectful competition where at the end of the day everybody can say they had a good time. like our parents used to tell us: "it's about having fun."

[@ZacharyThompsonRacing]

He said he left some on the table! Holy moly!

[@shinerlight7094]

SVG is a street race specialist. Nobody in NASCAR comes close to him in terms of street race experience. Not embarrassing, just a learning experience.

[@protoolpat1]

I think the 1st street course under wet conditions at the start and the readjusted length were huge factors but dont let that take anything away from this highly talented guy... Would love to see him race again at Sanoma, the Roval, or dare I say any oval track to solidify his dominance overall. Im sure the fans would love to see him compete in NASCAR more!

[@danielchai6145]

Definitely not embarrassed. They should be proud they were as competitive as they were. They made it look like a regular super car race. So many other ringers come in and get their ass whooped. Nascar drivers are really good and the most diverse in the world. But SVG was better this weekend. SVG said it himself that the nascar guys were really good and that it was surprising how good they were.

[@donnierittenberry5515]

He’s very humble he’s a lot better than he speaks

[@dibdab101]

the king of the overcut does it again, it`s a tried and tested strategy that SVG has mastered: pit 10 to 15 laps after everybody else, while still looking after your old tyres and keeping the pace (not an easy thing to do) and then grab fresh tyres towards the latter part of the race and smoke everybody. SVG being great on the brakes and with newer tyres, these guys didn`t have a hope in hell in the braking zones.

[@RRgaming2322]

He did but expectations should be throttled. This would be like sending Kyle Larson to Australia to race ovals with the v8 super cars. I do hope NASCAR does more road, lot of fun, cup drivers will only get better.

[@domv2286]

I wouldn’t say so. Overall I think it was all good for the sport . Hopefully more guys now want to come take a crack at it

[@JEFFNMANDA3]

SVG gave an awesome performance and his interview was in depth too. Well deserved win!

[@matthewcullen1298]

Im no racing guru but it seems to me there was a lot of mutual respect all round. Seems like a great thing for everyone involved.

[@scrick7112]

Hey Herman. I believe he humbled such drivers like Denny,Chase, ect, although they wouldn’t say so. Also my have humbled some members of the media like some of the NASCAR apologist on channel 90.

[@ClarkBoyzRacing]

Doubt channel 90 will change their stance much. Those talking heads do more harm than good for the series and sport in general than any fan that makes a social media post.

[@scrick7112]

@@ClarkBoyzRacing your right.

[@JJj-sb5pz]

I don't think he did anything, I know he did. One of the few that actually could.

[@kevinbrown348]

Considering this is the only time nascar races street circuit I thought nascar guys did pretty well

[@SimonZimmermann82]

No he didn't. He's just world class. Watch him at mount panorama. It's a masterclass

[@rodbrown8306]

Got to admire the attitude of these guys, they're all hard drivers with respect to them as well.

[@mchristr]

It's been many years since I thought a road course ringer would win. This was right in SVGs wheelhouse: sedans with horsepower, wet and dry conditions, a tight track with limited passing lanes, no pressure at all. If you watch him on the more technical tracks in V8 Supercar, you'll see where he honed his craft.

[@TheWizardOfOzGuitar]

Should have a top 10 drivers from both camps competition - NASCAR world series Australia v USA then introduce other countries to the competition & get NASCAR international

[@user-xn3vj4eu8l]

1.V8 supercars is actually more heavier than Nascar 2.The series has more street circuit races than the Nascar series 3.He is Multi-V8 Supercars champ So yeah SVG got some advantages,but I didn't expect him be that GOOD, debut race and win

[@Festus-kw1rw]

YES he embarrassed the hell out of them 👹 😁

[@scytheshandarkone2506]

No i don't think SVG embarrass Nascar Drivers at all. I think it encourage them to get better at road racing i think and there are drivers in current Nascar that are in fact good. I hope they take it as a good thing just pushes a driver to be better. 🙂

[@RacingWithChuck27]

He put Kyle Busch’s excuse to rest, “car doesn’t run on bump stops, runs locked rear end” Car isn’t like the V8 supercars. I think Nascar lost its identity years ago and have been trying too reinvent the wheel to get to the mid 90’s to 2000’s full crowds. Run the Glen, RA, Sonoma but street course , 🤷‍♂️

[@hawkesworth1712]

When Americans see Bathurst it scares them and for an Australian driver it's a dream of a lifetime to race there. This kind of racing is in the blood so his win wasn't surprising. But let's not get too carried away. His win was down to a pit stop before a shortened race. Those overtakes on the last few laps with tyres 16 laps older would have been a different story.

[@maxxedout2020]

Nascar needs some new personalities like this guy.

[@paulwest4755]

Give it a rest , he came in as the class of the field. Like i believe labonte said one time , there's a guy driving a milk truck some where thats better than all of us.

[@FrequencyOfThought]

There's guys that race in iRacing that would make all the drivers feel inadequate.. And there's a lot of them. NASCAR has a lot of drivers with the right last name and connections. It's obviously not as competitive as it could be.

[@shaunygrima]

Im from adelaide and love watching this fella fly through senna chicane & bradman straight. Sensational adelaide street circuit. He's class in street circuits.

[@Shambley1]

He's a world class street course driver that normally only drives on street courses driving against a bunch of guys who drive on ovals the majority of the time. Not only that, the style of car he drives in his normal series is very similar to the nascar cars. It's not like he jumped out of an open wheel car into a stock car and whooped up on everyone. He was supposed to win that race. No one should be embarrassed.

[@annfisher7104]

The truly greats are always humble, kind, and understand they always have room for improvement. SVG is the epitome of greatness. Would love to see him race in NASCAR again!!

[@boblaws9851]

He absolutely embarrassed them. Guy who drives car where the driver is on the right hand side of the car and shifts with his left hand hops into a car he has never driven before, sits and shifts completely opposite to what he is used too, and kicks the "greatest stockcar drivers on earth" a$$. And, he does it CLEANLY! Nascar drivers have gotten into the mindset and habit that it's fine to run through or punt the car in front of you out of the way, and that it's the only way to pass. Shane comes in and flat out schools them on how to race cleanly and still win the race. It was a totally awesome drive, and if the nascar drivers aren't embarrassed, they should be. I sincerely hope they all learned something by watching a guy who knows how to get it done. Huge kudos to Shane.

[@Triple87]

He’s been driving big heavy cars on street courses for a long time. This is what he does.

[@billy88joe]

So essentially what SVG did is what Larson does on local dirt tracks damn near everyday

[@phillipkeep7037]

The next gen NASCAR is similar to 2013 on wards Aussie V8 super car, so big advantage coming from that race series. I can see NASCAR doing more street circuits in the future with the next gen cars, would be great to see NASCAR at Bathurst.

[@liamgross7217]

NASCAR at Bathurst would be very cool.

[@vladimpaler9274]

He's an awesome driver

[@Mtlmshr]

Well Kenny thanks for posting those interviews, Larson (obviously one of our best) should not be bashing on himself so much but I get it he does have humility. Shane’s interview was great and you can tell his feet are firmly planted as well when he says that on the ovals he would be years behind the regulars. It’s simply a skill set just like some people are good welders and others suck, I only use that analogy because I’m a fabricator.

[@Hogdog970]

He did, he totally was like, "im here, im droppin the hammer harry, they need to get out of my way". Thanks Herm.

[@SGstylerSG]

He is a 3 time Supercar Champion Mclaughlin went to IndyCar and won a few races too so V8 Supercar just has Class Drivers

[@davidbaker4838]

He drove aggressive and maintained respect for other drivers. I would say the NASCAR driver should work harder

[@joshuamessenger]

Absolutely. Either all Supercars drivers are better than all Nascar drivers, or winning a Cup race isn’t really that hard… What an embarrassment.

[@basssnatcher594]

before we make a hero out of van let's see him race at, martinsville,daytona,richmond and some of "our" tracks.

[@robertbaird4822]

Wouldn't be a problem ,he's brilliant at every kind of racing,drifting rally dirt track supercars ,yo name it he's beaten them all.

[@davidtx8777]

Thats exactly the kind of racing he does every week! He's a master of street courses. They did look bad, but he's that good!

[@fredfernald8016]

I hate it when the announcer says “ the best drivers in the world” when talking about the NASCAR drivers. Perhaps they’ll stop now. Shane passed/advanced without the obligatory NASCAR bump and run. Bravo! A professional driver with respect and proper values.

[@kayjayjames1271]

I have watched nascar since Earnhardt was in his pink car, and that was one of the best races ever imo, I like these cars to, they're tough and actually closer to looking like the actual car imo, and I like the wider tire and stance, and I definitely like road courses and wow a street course, that opens up a huge market, if done right, and loved the looks around the track, especially when they cut the lights on, hey maybe headlights next, like an actual "stock" car, plus I love australia, always have, and yes that definitely is the closest to stock car racing imo, I wasn't surprised at all he won, hope he comes back, personally I think it's to bad we can't have 2 races a week, or 60 races a year, it's a hard decision to cut out some of these big round tracks, but there is 4 or 5 that have always been kinda always boring, they have no character, and I hear complaining that they ruined nascar because these cars messed up the air, every car has always did that, even the old ones, I always think it's funny when people gripe about that, because their driver couldn't pass, while everytime there is always 3 or 4 etc that were passing all day, because they had a better set up and a better driver for that track, I have seen even Kyle Bush do it, he complained about it, well Kyle your freaking car was tight all day, it looked tight, set it up better lol👍

[@CanuckIV]

It's fun to get a different perspective on how different V8 Supercars are to NASCARs. Kenny, you think it's possible to interview Shane for a upcoming Kenny Conversation?