Every NASCAR season, a new crop of rookies arrives, hoping to make a name for themselves. Some burst onto the scene like seasoned pros, leaving fans and competitors stunned. Think of Tony Stewart in 1999, when he won three races and finished fourth in points. A debut season for the ages! Or Denny Hamlin in 2006, who not only won the Pocono 500 as a rookie but also finished third in the championship standings.

These guys didn’t just show up. They made an impact.

But for every breakout rookie, there’s another who struggles to find their footing. Five weeks into the 2025 season, this year’s rookie class is shaping up to be… well, let’s just say, unpredictable. And for some, expectations aren’t exactly being met. So, what’s going on? Let’s take a look.

A not-so-rocking season for the rookies…yet

The NASCAR Cup Series has only two rookies vying for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award – Shane van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst. Herbst is currently leading the rookie standings with 79 points after five races. Overall, Herbst stands at the 27th position. He has shown promise with four top-20 finishes, including a respectable 19th place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the Pennzoil 400. Herbst’s transition from the Xfinity Series has been relatively smooth. He credits his success to the support from his team at 23XI Racing and experienced mentors like Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick.

Trailing Herbst is Shane van Gisbergen with 72 points. The Australian driver made headlines with his impressive debut in NASCAR but has struggled to maintain consistent results since then. He has showcased his talent at COTA, finishing sixth. But, questions remain about whether he can adapt quickly enough to compete effectively against seasoned veterans in the Cup Series. Gisbergen currently is in the 31st position after having dropped 9 places post-Vegas.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie standings are led by Taylor Gray, who has accumulated an impressive 137 points after five races. His strong performances have made him a standout among rookies this season. Following closely behind are Connor Zilisch with 133 points and Christian Eckes with 127 points.

Others in contention include Carson Kvapil (114), Nick Sanchez (103), Daniel Dye (103), William Sawalich (93), and Dean Thompson (82). Of the rookies, only Zilisch has managed to win a race (COTA). The drivers have demonstrated their potential to compete at high levels and are already making names for themselves in the series.

In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Gio Ruggiero leads the rookie standings with 86 points after five races. His performance has been commendable as he adapts to life in the Truck Series following a successful stint in ARCA racing. However, other rookies like Andres Perez de Lara and Frankie Muniz have faced difficulties during their early races, struggling to find their rhythm on track.

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Shane van Gisbergen – A reality check for the Supercars star?

Shane van Gisbergen entered the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season with high expectations after his stunning victory at the Chicago Street Course in 2023. This win marked him as the first driver to win in his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in 1963. It set the bar high for his full-time transition to NASCAR. However, adapting to the rigors of full-time Cup racing has proven to be a significant challenge for the talented driver.

With his impressive resume in the Supercars Championship, where he secured multiple titles and race wins, the transition to NASCAR has not been seamless. His performance has included a mix of promising moments and frustrating setbacks. For instance, during the recent race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, SVG struggled significantly. He eventually finished 34th after a series of mishaps. This includes spin and brake issues that plagued his car throughout the event.

Veteran drivers have expressed their high expectations for SVG based on his past success. Denny Hamlin praised van Gisbergen’s potential during an episode of his podcast. After van Gisbergen’s performance at Atlanta, Hamlin stated, “Elite drivers can drive anything… I think he’s just an elite level athlete that he’ll be able to do it all.”

SVG himself has acknowledged the challenges of transitioning to NASCAR’s unique demands. He mentioned, “I don’t know… I guess it’s another learning year again because the cars are so different.” This admission underscores that while he may have had success in other racing formats, NASCAR requires a different skill set and approach that he is still working to master.

As SVG continues to navigate this rookie season, questions remain about whether he can turn things around and live up to the lofty expectations set by his earlier achievements. With upcoming races on road courses where he has historically excelled, fans are hopeful that SVG will find his footing and begin delivering results that match his undeniable talent. The coming weeks will be crucial for him as he seeks to establish himself as a competitive force in the NASCAR Cup Series.