Kevin Harvick Defends ‘Super High IQ’ Shane van Gisbergen Amidst Criticism

Ex-NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on criticism of Shane van Gisbergen’s dominant road course win streak.

Kevin Harvick Defends ‘Super High IQ’ Shane van Gisbergen Amidst Criticism

Kevin Harvick and Shane van Gisbergen (Via IMAGO and @sonoma/X)

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Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has already surpassed the executions everyone in the racing community had of him at the start of the 2025 season. He won three races so far, all of which are road course event, with pure dominance and a small but significant group of NASCAR fans are irked by it. But 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick has got his back.  

In the latest episode of the Fox Sports’ Happy Hours podcast, ex-Stewart Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on Shane van Gisbergen’s dominance. Addressing the SVG haters online, the legendary racer asserted that the Kiwi won the same number of racers as Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. So, if he is criticized for not winning at Ovals, the others should be criticized not winning on road courses.

So let me ask you this. He’s won three races. Bell, Denny Hamlin, Larson won three races. So, if you take the types of tracks off and just—they haven’t won on a road course—so what’s the difference?

Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.

The veteran has a solid argument, as every driver knew there are going to six road course races from the start of the season and has worked on it. So, no fans deserve to complain about it, owing to the fact that their favorite racers weren’t good enough against SVG. Kevin Harvick declared that if the three times Supercars champion one or two more races, the season can be marked as super successful.

Let’s just say it ends right here. I think he wins one of the two road courses that we have left. So, let’s just say he ends the season with 4 wins and 5 poles, and the season’s over. That’s a pretty successful Cup season, for anybody,

Kevin Harvick asserted.

Further talking about the point, the Fox Sports broadcaster shared his thoughts on the possibility of Shane van Gisbergen winning a race on the oval. He highlighted how the No:88 Chevy team has improved on the OG tracks and a racer that have super IQ, so a win is close. Unless Conor Zilisch makes it into Cup, replacing Daniel Suarez in 2026, and outperform him on both Ovals and road courses.

And I think he will. I mean he already has. He’s already improved on the ovals. His racing IQ is super high…The only thing that slows it down next year is Connor Zilisch if he goes Cup racing.

Kevin Harvick added.

Shane van Gisbergen is bringing in massive sponsorship battle to the sport

The Kiwi racer brought in one of his long-time sponsors in Red Bull with him to USA and they have been his biggest supporter ever since. They sponsor him alongside his teammate, and Xfinity prodigy Conor Zilisch. The four wins of SVG son far has helped Red Bull to get over their embarrassing entry and exit from the sport in mid-2000s.  

Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen and Chase Elliott at Mexico City race podium (via Getty)
Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen and Chase Elliott at Mexico City race podium (via Getty)

The re-entry of Red Bull, put pressure on Monster Energy, the energy drink rival that has been one of the leading sponsors of the sport for many years. They now have a proper rival and at the moment is getting their ass kicked, with Ty Gibbs, Riley Herbst and Tyler Reddick not securing race wins. Kevin Harvick expects an energy drink rivalry to come out of the drama and help the sport for good.

The energy drink sector of what we do, we need Red Bull and Monster to compete. Whether it be marketing, advertising, just like Budweiser, Coors Light, Miller Light used to do back in the day. When you have those big companies like that, that are engaged in the marketing side of things, it brings a whole new element to the marketing side of things. And that is good for our sport.

Kevin Harvick said on podcast.

The comments from Kevin Harvick are on point and something the NASCAR community should be excited about, as the sponsorship rivalry often breeds more marketing with drivers taking the charge, attracting more casual fans to the sport. It would be interesting to see how everything is playout for the sponsors and the sport in the coming years.

Also Read: Kyle Petty Shuts Down Claims That Shane Van Gisbergen Is the ‘GOAT of NASCAR Road Course Racing’