Denny Hamlin: Shane van Gisbergen is taking full advantage of 'Rubbin' is racing' mantra
Denny Hamlin believes Shane van Gisbergen is loving NASCAR’s “Rubbin’ is racing” mantra, as the New Zealander adjusts to the sport in the Xfinity Series.
The sentiment from Hamlin stems from van Gisbergen moving Austin Hill out of the way for the victory at Sonoma over the weekend, pushing him up the track on the restart and jetting away from the field afterwards.
During the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin elaborated on why he believes that’s all well and good for van Gisbergen in the Xfinity Series, but that wouldn’t fly in the Cup Series, where SVG would like to race in 2025.
“Shane, he took an opportunity,” Hamlin stated, regarding van Gisbergen’s victory. ” He ran, he wanted to stay beside Austin Hill on that restart. But I think he made a bit of an ambitious move to do it. I think he still had enough speed, and technique, to get around Austin. Because the tires cooled back off. … So I think he could’ve been a little more patient, and picked Austin off cleanly, probably by Turn 11 on that first lap after the restart. But he sees an opportunity, and he’s run in NASCAR enough now. He’s like, ‘These guys just run into each other, so I’m joining the party. I love this.’ … I think he’s adapting to NASCAR well.
“It won’t go over probably as clean and clear on Sundays, as what it is on Saturdays, right now. But he’s taking full advantage of the ‘Rubbin’ is racing’ mantra.”
Regardless, it’s not like van Gisbergen is out here wrecking his competitors each week. Some believe he even owed Hill a receipt for their altercation at COTA earlier this season. With the way Hill has raced his competitors in 2024, van Gisbergen’s move was likely more popular with the garage than not.
Moving forward, Hamlin recognizes van Gisbergen is borderline unbeatable on road courses in the Xfinity Series, and that could carry over into the Cup Series when he makes his move. As for Hill’s side in the budding rivalry, Hamlin also stated that the No. 21 wheelman won’t be shy about moving SVG later in the season.
“It’s good for Shane and all,” Hamlin added. “We didn’t need proof that he was good on road courses and certainly in the Xfinity Series, but he’s fun to watch. He’s got great technique and great car control and to watch him do that burnout right behind Austin — he clearly gives no f**ks, that is for sure.”
“… [Hill’s] been on the worst end of this exchange. There’s no question about that. If the score is level, then I think Shane needs to keep it clean from here on out because he’s certainly opening himself to Austin really knocking him out of the way when he needs to for a future win or future position.”
Alas, Shane van Gisbergen will be happy with the back-to-back victories on road course in the Xfinity Series, and he’ll look to continue his success over the rest of the NASCAR campaign. If he takes Denny Hamlin’s advice though, he’d be wise to be extra careful around Austin Hill moving forward, as well.