Not a Remote Chance: Denny Hamlin Boldly Asserts Shane van Gisbergen’s Dominance on the Track and Criticizes NASCAR Insider Jordan Bianchi as “Crazy” for His Ruling That Sparked Fan Protests

In the high-stakes world of NASCAR, where rivalries ignite as fiercely as engines roar, few voices carry the weight of Denny Hamlin’s. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, a three-time Daytona 500 champion with 59 Cup Series victories under his belt, has never shied away from controversy. But his latest outburst—dismissing prominent NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi as “absolutely out of his mind”—has sent shockwaves through the paddock and ignited a firestorm among fans. At the center of the storm is Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand import whose meteoric rise on road courses has forced a reckoning with NASCAR’s storied history.

The controversy erupted just days after van Gisbergen’s triumphant performance at the Bank of America Roval 400 on October 5, 2025, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet driver, competing for Trackhouse Racing in a part-time Cup Series schedule, claimed his fifth consecutive road course victory, extending his unbeaten streak to an astonishing six in his young NASCAR career. Starting from the outside pole after a razor-thin qualifying loss to Tyler Reddick, van Gisbergen methodically dismantled the field, leading 68 of 109 laps and crossing the finish line 2.847 seconds ahead of runner-up Kyle Larson. It was a masterclass in precision driving—flawless braking into the chicane, surgical overtakes through the infield esses, and an unyielding pace that left even the playoff contenders in his dust.

For van Gisbergen, a 37-year-old former Supercars champion with three titles in Australia, this wasn’t just another win; it was validation. Since stunning the series with a debut victory in the 2023 Chicago Street Race—becoming the first driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in 1963—he has transformed from curiosity to conqueror. His 2025 season, marked by road course triumphs at Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis, and now Charlotte, has tied him with Hamlin for the most wins overall, despite running only select events. “It’s surreal,” van Gisbergen said post-race, his Kiwi accent laced with humility. “These tracks suit my style, but the competition here is brutal. To keep winning? That’s not luck; that’s the team and the car clicking.”

Hamlin, who finished 23rd after a late-race tangle with Ross Chastain cost him dearly in the playoffs, wasted no time elevating van Gisbergen to legendary status. On the October 6 episode of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, co-hosted with Ryan Jeltema, the 44-year-old driver didn’t mince words. “Shane van Gisbergen is the greatest road course NASCAR driver in history, and he’s only been doing it for a year and a half,” Hamlin declared, his voice rising with conviction. “It’s undisputed. Anybody that disputes it, even in my mentions, shut up! I know; you don’t. I compete; you don’t.”

The real fireworks came when Hamlin turned his sights on Bianchi, a respected motorsports reporter for The Athletic known for his incisive analysis on “The Teardown” podcast with Jeff Gluck. Back in August, during a heated debate following van Gisbergen’s Watkins Glen victory, Bianchi had pushed back against crowning the newcomer the “GOAT” of road courses. While acknowledging SVG’s “incredibly impressive” exploits—particularly in wet conditions and street circuits—Bianchi argued it was premature to dethrone icons like Jeff Gordon, who boasts seven road course wins, including four at Sonoma alone. “This isn’t completely unprecedented,” Bianchi noted at the time, referencing Chase Elliott’s similar four-win streak in 2022. “We need to control the narrative a bit. Gordon’s record still stands tall.”

Hamlin, a self-proclaimed history buff with a penchant for data-driven debates, saw red. “Jordan Bianchi is absolutely out of his mind,” he fired back on the podcast. “Yeah, he’s on the short-list for the best NASCAR road racer ever. What is he talking about? Does he really think that Jeff Gordon, in his prime, would beat SVG today in a NextGen car? Not a chance. Not a remote chance.” Hamlin dissected the eras with surgical precision: Gordon’s victories came in an age of less aero-dependent cars and fewer road course dates, often by slim margins. Van Gisbergen, by contrast, has lapped fields in the current Gen-7 era, where downforce and tire management demand superhuman adaptability. “When Gordon was competing, he wasn’t winning by wide margins,” Hamlin continued. “But when it comes to turning left and right, they are not close, and SVG is the greatest.”

The backlash was swift and polarized. Fans flooded social media, with #SVGGOAT trending on X (formerly Twitter) within hours. Supporters hailed Hamlin as a truth-teller, flooding his mentions with clips of van Gisbergen’s daring passes. “Denny’s right—Bianchi’s take is crazy. SVG’s rewriting the script,” tweeted one enthusiast, amassing thousands of likes. Others defended Bianchi, accusing Hamlin of recency bias and disrespecting a four-time champion like Gordon, whose 93 career wins include pioneering road course success in the 1990s. “Hamlin’s ego is showing. Gordon paved the way for guys like SVG,” countered a Gordon loyalist, sparking threaded debates that stretched into the night.

Protests, though digital, were palpable. A Change.org petition titled “Acknowledge SVG’s Supremacy” garnered over 5,000 signatures by Monday morning, calling for NASCAR to honor van Gisbergen with a special “Road Course King” award. Forums like Reddit’s r/NASCAR buzzed with polls: 68% sided with Hamlin’s assessment, citing van Gisbergen’s 100% win rate on road courses. Critics, however, pointed to the sample size—only six starts—and van Gisbergen’s oval struggles, where he’s yet to crack the top 10 consistently. “Great on twisties, but NASCAR’s about the whole package,” one detractor posted.

Bianchi, ever the professional, addressed the feud gracefully on a follow-up “Teardown” episode. “Denny’s passion is what makes this sport great,” he said, chuckling. “I stand by my point—Gordon’s legacy is etched in stone—but SVG’s making a hell of a case. Let’s see him do it over 10 years.” Gluck, his co-host, mediated with humor: “This is why we love NASCAR: opinions hotter than Charlotte asphalt.”

For van Gisbergen, the noise is background static. With eyes on a potential full-time Cup ride in 2026, he’s focused on the playoffs, where his non-playoff status allows him to play spoiler. Trackhouse owner Justin Marks beamed post-race: “Shane’s not just winning; he’s redefining what’s possible.” Hamlin, eliminated from title contention but advancing to the Round of 8 on points, echoed the sentiment off-air, texting van Gisbergen congratulations.

As the playoffs barrel toward Martinsville and beyond, this dust-up underscores NASCAR’s evolving narrative. Van Gisbergen’s dominance isn’t just about laps led or trophies hoisted; it’s a bridge between global talent and American grit, challenging sacred cows like Gordon’s throne. Hamlin’s bold defense, laced with his trademark bravado, has fans choosing sides, but one truth emerges: in a sport built on speed and audacity, “not a remote chance” feels like the new benchmark. Whether Bianchi’s skepticism holds water or crumbles under SVG’s tire tracks, the debate fuels the fire—and that’s exactly what NASCAR thrives on.