Every NASCAR season greets a fresh batch of rookies, each aspiring to engrave their names into the annals of the sport. Every so often, a rookie storms onto the scene, leaving fans and seasoned competitors in awe. Remember Tony Stewart’s dazzling 1999 debut, where he notched up three victories and a fourth-place overall finish? Or Denny Hamlin’s remarkable 2006 rookie season, which included a Pocono 500 win and a third-place championship finish? These rookies didn’t merely participate; they made a splash.
However, not every rookie enjoys a fairytale start. With five weeks into the 2025 season, this year’s rookies have been nothing short of unpredictable, with some rookies struggling to meet the season’s expectations.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title is a two-horse race between Shane van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst. So far, Herbst has taken the lead with 79 points and a 27th overall position after five races. His smooth transition from the Xfinity Series, punctuated by four top-20 finishes and a commendable 19th-place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, credits the support from his 23XI Racing team and mentors like Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick.
However, trailing Herbst is Shane van Gisbergen, who, despite an impressive NASCAR debut, has struggled to deliver consistent results, amassing 72 points and slipping to the 31st position. While his talent shone at COTA with a sixth-place finish, the Australian driver’s ability to adapt quickly and compete effectively against experienced drivers remain debatable.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series has Taylor Gray leading the rookie standings with a noteworthy 137 points, followed by Connor Zilisch and Christian Eckes with 133 and 127 points, respectively. Other contenders include Carson Kvapil, Nick Sanchez, Daniel Dye, William Sawalich, and Dean Thompson. Among these rookies, only Zilisch has managed to win a race (COTA), and they are already carving their niche in the series.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Gio Ruggiero is leading the rookies with 86 points, transitioning impressively from ARCA racing. However, rookies like Andres Perez de Lara and Frankie Muniz are still finding their rhythm on the track.
Shane van Gisbergen entered the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series with high expectations following his stunning victory at the Chicago Street Course in 2023 – the first driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in 1963. Despite his successful Supercars Championship stint, van Gisbergen’s transition to NASCAR has not been smooth sailing. His mixed performances and recent 34th finish at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway following car issues indicate a struggle to adapt to the NASCAR format.
Veteran drivers hold high hopes for van Gisbergen, with Denny Hamlin praising his potential on his podcast. However, van Gisbergen himself acknowledges the unique demands of NASCAR, calling it “another learning year”. As he continues his rookie season, questions linger about his ability to meet the high expectations set by his past achievements. With road course races where he has historically excelled coming up, fans are hopeful that van Gisbergen will find his groove and deliver results matching his undisputed talent. The upcoming weeks are crucial for the driver as he strives to establish himself as a formidable force in the NASCAR Cup Series.