Back in the 2000s and early 2010s, Jimmie Johnson was NASCAR’s unstoppable force, racking up five straight Cup Series championships from 2006 to 2010 and tying legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven titles by 2016. But that dominance came at a cost, some fans turned on him, not because he was a villain, but because he was just too good. In 2010, USA Today captured the vibe, noting how some fans felt Johnson was “ruining the sport” by making it feel like a foregone conclusion. Fast forward to 2025, and Shane van Gisbergen is catching the same kind of heat.

The Kiwi sensation has taken the NASCAR Cup Series by storm, dominating road courses with four wins, Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen, making him just the third driver, alongside Chase Elliott and Jeff Gordon

See Full Page