Kyle Larson, one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, recently acknowledged that he has no hope of mastering the specialized braking style that Shane van Gisbergen has brought from his background in international racing. This technique—commonly referred to as heel-toe braking—is largely unfamiliar to most NASCAR drivers and gives van Gisbergen a unique advantage, especially on road courses.
Van Gisbergen’s approach involves using the right foot for both the throttle and the brake, while the left foot operates the clutch and gear shift. This contrasts with the traditional NASCAR method, where drivers rely on left-foot braking. The heel-toe style allows for smoother downshifting and braking at the same time, helping maintain car stability during corners. It’s a skill van Gisbergen has honed through years of competing in the Supercars Championship and other forms of road racing.
Larson, who currently races for Hendrick Motorsports, spoke openly about the limitations he feels in trying to adopt van Gisbergen’s approach. “There’s zero chance I can learn how to do that,” he admitted during the NASCAR weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Larson explained that trying to reprogram his muscle memory after years of driving one way would be nearly impossible. In fact, he noted that even if he somehow learned the heel-toe method, it likely wouldn’t improve his performance over his current left-foot braking technique.
This wasn’t a case of downplaying van Gisbergen’s talent. On the contrary, Larson was full of admiration for what van Gisbergen has managed to accomplish in such a short time since transitioning into NASCAR. He emphasized that van Gisbergen’s skill with braking techniques is just one of the many elements that make him a threat on road courses.
Van Gisbergen made headlines with his sensational NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2023, winning on the streets of Chicago. That victory immediately drew attention to his unique style and how it differed from what’s commonly seen in the Cup Series. Since then, he’s continued to be a competitive force, especially in races that involve turning right as well as left.
The challenge for Larson—and many of his NASCAR peers—is not just about learning a new skill. The structure of modern NASCAR makes it incredibly difficult for drivers to test and experiment. Due to the limited amount of practice time during race weekends and NASCAR’s restrictions on open testing, there’s little opportunity to practice techniques that aren’t already ingrained. Larson noted that back when more open testing was allowed, it might have been feasible to attempt learning such a method. But under the current rules, trying something as radically different as heel-toe braking would almost certainly be a disadvantage, especially without ample time to refine it.
Other top drivers echo Larson’s sentiments. Kyle Busch, another champion in the sport, jokingly said he’d probably need to retire before attempting to learn van Gisbergen’s style. Christopher Bell, a rising star in the Cup Series, acknowledged that the heel-toe method might be effective but also described it as something that’s easy to get wrong. “It would take a long time to master and probably be an easy way to make a mistake,” Bell commented. That’s a risk most NASCAR drivers aren’t willing to take during a race.
Ryan Blaney, one of Larson’s frequent competitors, said he’d be open to trying the technique if NASCAR allowed unlimited testing. “With enough time, I’d love to try it out,” Blaney remarked. “But in our current environment, you’d just be wasting precious track time trying something that might backfire.” He, too, recognizes that van Gisbergen’s background gave him years of experience with the technique, while NASCAR drivers have been brought up in a completely different system.
What all of this highlights is that van Gisbergen’s talent isn’t just raw skill—it’s refined by years of racing in environments that prioritize technical precision, especially on road courses. His method offers better control under heavy braking and sharp cornering, making him a formidable competitor when NASCAR heads to road courses like Watkins Glen, Sonoma, or the Chicago Street Course.
For Larson, it’s about knowing where his strengths lie and being realistic about what’s possible. He’s one of the best in the sport on a wide variety of tracks, but he understands that trying to adopt a style as intricate as heel-toe braking might actually set him back. Instead, he seems content with refining the skills he already has, while continuing to respect what van Gisbergen has brought to the table.
In conclusion, Larson’s admission underscores just how distinct van Gisbergen’s background is and how specialized his skills are. NASCAR’s limited testing windows make it nearly impossible for current drivers to pivot their driving style mid-career. Unless the structure of the sport changes dramatically, it’s unlikely that anyone in the Cup Series will replicate van Gisbergen’s technique. For now, drivers like Larson are left to admire from a distance while sticking with what they know best.
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