SHANE VAN GISBERGEN - SOUTHPAW SPEED / RIGHT LEG DOMINANCE

If you didn't notice... SVG is left handed, everytime he wins, he signs a rugby ball with his left hand and kicks it into the crowd with his right leg.

I noticed this the same way I notice other left handed people.

SVG'S unique racing style stands out in NASCAR. As a left-handed and right-legged dominant driver, he steers with his dominant left hand and brakes with his dominant right foot—the opposite of what most "oval" NASCAR drivers do, who typically brake with their non-dominant left foot.

This technique is a significant departure from the standard NASCAR approach. Most drivers use left-foot braking to "drag the brake" and keep the engine revs up. SVG, however, brings a road-course-centric style from his Supercars background, leveraging his dominant side or sides for precise control.

Potential Advantages of SVG's Dominance

The use of his dominant limbs might offer a subtle advantage. While many NASCAR drivers steer with their non-dominant left hand on road courses, SVG's dominant-hand steering could allow for more precise inputs. This might also apply to his right-foot braking, potentially offering better feel and modulation.

Furthermore, his handedness could relate to cerebral lateralization, or "brain-sidedness." For the 10-13% of the population that is left-handed, brain research suggests a more active corpus callosum, the "bridge" between the two hemispheres. This increased "cross-talk" may lead to a more integrated style of thinking and improved neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and form new neural pathways. This adaptability might enable SVG to better process and execute complex, simultaneous tasks like those required in racing.

If Denny Hamlin were left handed, would he of sailed it there on the last lap at Kansas?

And for physical execution... SVG has full right side brain power while left hand steering and full left side brain power while right foot braking...

Mastery of Advanced Techniques

Beyond his handedness, SVG's success is rooted in his masterful application of advanced driving techniques:

Heel-and-Toe Method

This is an advanced skill where the driver uses one foot to operate both the brake and throttle while downshifting. Using his right foot, SVG brakes with the toe and "blips" the throttle with the heel. This keeps the engine revs up, smoothly matching them to the lower gear and preventing the car from becoming unsettled during heavy braking.

Clutch Modulation

Unlike many modern NASCAR drivers, SVG modulates the clutch during braking. This allows the rear wheels to "free roll" momentarily, preventing excessive engine braking from slowing them down. As a result, the car becomes more stable and can turn more effectively into a corner. This technique also helps save the rear tires and prevents wheel lock-up, giving him a distinct advantage over competitors who rely solely on modern transmissions.

SVG's unique combination of natural dominance, a different driving background, and a polished skill set—particularly his clutch modulation and heel-and-toe technique—sets him apart on road courses and has contributed significantly to his early NASCAR success.

One more left handed NASCAR note -

Skip Flores on Stacking Pennies explained for a left-handed tire changer, the advantage of a single lug nut system is enhanced by their body mechanics, particularly when on their knees. The pit gun tightens the lug nut with a clockwise, or right-hand, rotational force. This action creates a reactive torque that tries to push the pit gun in the opposite, counter-clockwise direction.

To tighten the nut, they are using their dominant left arm and hand. When the gun's clockwise torque pushes back, they can effectively pull up on the left side of the gun's handle with their left arm. This pulling motion, combined with the bracing strength of their bent legs, is a more powerful and natural action for a left-hander's muscles and joints. A right-handed person, by contrast, must use a less efficient pushing motion to counteract the same force. The single lug nut system, introduced with the Next-Gen car, simplifies the process and makes the torque advantage for left-handed pit crew members more pronounced.