Shane van Gisbergen has emerged as one of the most impressive drivers during this NASCAR season, securing a spot in the 2025 Cup Series playoffs. Despite his rookie status, the driver for Trackhouse Racing has already made significant waves, especially on road courses, suggesting that the early playoff rounds should be manageable for him according to veteran competitor Denny Hamlin. The focus on the Denny Hamlin Cup Playoff Tip highlights how important consistency will be for van Gisbergen to advance beyond round one successfully.
Van Gisbergen has delivered a remarkable performance this year, clinching three consecutive wins on road courses directly from the pole position—a feat previously matched only by racing legend Jeff Gordon in NASCAR history. In addition to this, van Gisbergen set a record for leading the most laps in a Sonoma race, dominating 97 laps and showcasing his mastery on road circuits.
Challenges Ahead for Van Gisbergen on Oval Tracks
However, not all tracks in the first playoff round play to van Gisbergen’s strengths. His performance on oval tracks has not matched his road course success, raising questions about his ability to advance. The first round features events at Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Bristol Motor Speedway—three venues less suited to his road racing skill set. Despite this, Hamlin remains optimistic that van Gisbergen can progress by avoiding significant setbacks.
During a discussion on the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin shared advice for surviving the initial playoff stage:
“Yeah, he could get through the first round just by not messing up. We’ve said this a million times. In the first round, the four drivers who get eliminated after the Round of 16 usually have major issues during races. It could be mechanical failures or wrecks, but they end up with those 30th-place or worse finishes.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
The Importance of Playoff Points and Avoiding Major Errors
Hamlin emphasized that van Gisbergen’s key to surviving the early playoff round lies in steering clear of DNFs and other major problems, especially mechanical failures or wrecks that could lead to poor finishes. Accumulating and maintaining playoff points will also be vital to his success. Currently, van Gisbergen holds 17 playoff points, which places him just behind Hamlin’s 19 and Larson’s 23. This tally reflects his strong performances during the regular season, giving him a buffer that could help him advance if he avoids costly mistakes.
Hamlin continued,
“So if you avoid that, especially with him having, I don’t know exactly how many bonus points he has now…(he’s got 17 so far) Yeah, something like that. Then yeah, he could definitely make it through the first round.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Upcoming Races Could Boost Van Gisbergen’s Playoff Standing
Van Gisbergen also has another road course race opportunity remaining in the regular season, the Watkins Glen event. His strong previous showing there, finishing in second place last year, suggests he will again be a top contender. A strong finish or a win at Watkins Glen would add crucial playoff points to his tally, further solidifying his position heading into the playoff rounds that feature less favorable oval tracks.
Prospects Beyond the Initial Playoff Round
If van Gisbergen successfully negotiates the challenges of the first round, the next phase includes the Charlotte Roval, a road course where he could leverage his skills to advance further, perhaps even reaching the round of eight. His ability to extend his playoff run beyond round one will depend on both consistency and taking advantage of track types that play to his strengths.
As the season moves forward, all eyes will be on Shane van Gisbergen to see if this NASCAR rookie can translate his impressive road racing performances into a deep run in the 2025 Cup Series playoffs.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Since he started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has achieved an incredible career. He has won 51 Cup Series races and triumphed in the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020). Over the years, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is engaged to Jordan Fish. She loved dancing from a young age, which led her to perform for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The team is now called the Charlotte Hornets. She met Hamlin during one of her performances at a Bobcats game.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin is worth about $65 million thanks to his winning racing career, profitable endorsement deals, and wise real estate choices. Whether driving or managing a racing team, Hamlin consistently succeeds both in racing and in business.
Q. Are Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin friends?
A. Michael Jordan, who co-owns NASCAR’s 23XI Racing team, complimented his partner Denny Hamlin for winning his second Cup Series race this season at Darlington. Jordan admired his friend’s competitive nature and told critics that booing only improves Hamlin’s performance.
