Denny Hamlin claims signing Shane van Gisbergen for 2025 was a “commercial and intellectual decision” from Trackhouse

Trackhouse Racing made a major announcement last week as they confirmed the signing of Shane van Gisbergen as their third driver for the 2025 Cup season. They overlooked Zane Smith to give the three times Supercars champion the No:88 Chevy seat and it has caused a lot of discussion in the NASCAR community.

While talking about the announcement in his podcast, Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin explains why Justin Marks made the call. He asserted that signing Shane van Gisbergen was decision with commercial and intellectual factors in mind. The 23XI boss believes SVG as more sponsorship appeal and his superior road course prowess makes him a playoff contender.

I don't think that there's any question that SVG can get you into the playoffs as long as road courses are on the schedule. We talked about the financial implications of that, that's a factor. There's a commercial decision to be made as well as an intellectual decision.

Denny Hamlin said via Action Detrimental.

The No:11 Toyota driver pointed out that Trackhosue might be feeling that having the Kiwi driver in their team is the better option for them considrimng his sponsorship edge. Since signing between SVG and Smith is a fifty-fifty decision, Hamlin has no issues with the team taking this factor into decision making process.

We cannot run these cars without sponsorship and so if SVG has a leg up on sponsorship and you're already thinking ‘Well, its fifty-fifty' then you're going to make a commercial decision and I understand that.

Denny Hamlin added.

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Denny Hamlin expects Shane van Gisbergen get into the R-8 in 2025

The expectations Hamlin has for the Kiwi driver is really big. With multiple road course races in the regular season as well as in the playoffs from the 2025 season, he feels it would be major disappointment if Gisbergen can’t make it into the last-8, third round of the playoffs.

If SVG is top 25 in points next year I would be shocked, I really would, but he's likely just going to go win a road course and find themselves 16th or better. As long as they keep multiple road course in the playoffs he could get to the top eight.

Denny Hamlin said.

Hamlin made the correct argument with SVG and it seems the Trackhosue decision does make more sense. It will be interesting to see how good he can become as the next-season comes in the oval races, especially the short tracks and superspeedways.

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