Denny Hamlin reacts to Shane van Gisbergen earning first Top 10 oval finish at Kansas

Shane van Gisbergen notched a top ten finish at Kansas, an oval in the NASCAR Cup Series. That was his best finish yet at the sport’s more traditional track type.

That has Denny Hamlin impressed. On the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, the veteran wheelman reacted to the run, giving the New Zealander credit where credit is due.

“The accomplishment is the accomplishment. I don’t think we should nitpick that. You’ve got to start somewhere, and clearly he’s starting to step up his game on the ovals,” Hamlin stated. “Realistically, for him — or Justin’s long-term goal for his team — you’re going to need SVG to not just win on the road courses. Especially if, well, not if, but when they change the playoff format, you’re definitely going to have to put the whole package together.

“He’s improving. Come to find out, he’s actually pretty good, you know what I mean? He’s a really good driver. Great drivers find a way to adapt to their machine. And SVG is one of those drivers — no matter what you put him in, he’s going to succeed, and he’s going to learn it. So yeah, things are trending up for him.”

All told, it was an awesome season for SVG, until the playoffs came around. He was eliminated in the Round of 16, despite winning four races during the regular season. That means he’s going to need to be better at ovals moving forward if he wants a change at winning a title.

“It was really cool to get a top 10 finish at Kansas Speedway,” SVG said after the race, per Motorsport. “It was good to do it in a Red Bull car. We’ve had some really cool partners this year and stoked to be able to do it here at Kansas Speedway.

“I feel like we’re getting better and better at these tracks. It was difficult starting a lap down and having that penalty, but Chais Eliason (interim crew chief) did a great job. We had really good speed at points of the race, so I’m stoked to get a top 10. I’m over the moon with that.”

He seems to be on his way. Hamlin and the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field better watch out, because an SVG that can race on ovals might be the most intimidating wheelman we’ve seen in the sport in quite some time.