Van Gisbergen NASCAR Venture: Trackhouse Racing embarked on a daring initiative named Project 91 last year, aiming to introduce top drivers from diverse racing disciplines to NASCAR. This endeavor saw former F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen participate in a single race in 2022, and he made a return for another race in the subsequent year, both occasions navigating road courses. However, the #91 car later resurfaced with a different ace behind the wheelV8 Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen.
Van Gisbergen’s maiden outing on American soil was nothing short of sensational. At the Chicago Street Course debut in the NASCAR Cup Series, he clinched an astonishing victory, instantly propelling himself into the spotlight of the NASCAR community.
Later in the season, his endeavor at the Indianapolis road course concluded commendably with a 10th-place finish. Having savored the NASCAR experience, the Supercars Champion appears captivated and eagerly anticipates a return to U.S. tracks in the near future.
Rejoice for NASCAR aficionados as the Kiwi driver is slated to reappear on the Cup Series grid in 2024, once again donning the Trackhouse Racing colors for Project 91 across a limited number of races. Even more promising is van Gisbergen’s agreement to participate in races spanning all three divisions. While other drivers might vie for a shot in Project 91, the Kiwi sensation is already earmarked for a significant array of races, potentially disrupting expectations.
In his ambition to pursue a full-time NASCAR Cup career, the 34-year-old, having secured three V8 Supercars championships, eagerly eyes a new challenge. However, transitioning to a full-time role will pose specific hurdles, notably acclimating to oval racing, an arena where van Gisbergen’s experience remains rooted in road courses.
Expressing his enthusiasm for a more consistent presence, he shared, “It sounds like Im going to be doing a lot of races. When they said it’s be a part-time schedulemaybe 20 racesit’s more than what we do here full-time. I want to gain as much experience as possible and hopefully aim for the Cup Series in ’25.”
Undoubtedly, a rookie entering the domain of seasoned NASCAR drivers was always going to be daunting. Yet, the V8 Supercars champion embraced the challenge seamlessly. Commencing with a commendable third-place qualification at the Chicago Street Course behind pole-sitter Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick, Shane van Gisbergen’s familiarity with driving stock cars on road courses seemingly provided him an advantageous edge. Additionally, mastering the challenging conditions of a soaking wet track on race day contributed significantly to his unexpected triumph, marking a standout moment in a lackluster year for Trackhouse Racing.
Though initially positioned in the top five during the race’s early stages, the situation grew complicated as the 100-lap race shortened to 75 due to fading daylight. Pit strategies shuffled the front-runners into the midfield, causing a commotion among cars that had pitted earlier. Van Gisbergen found himself among those affected. Yet, he capitalized on an opportunity when Kevin Harvick’s reentry on track inadvertently created a bottleneck at a narrow section, allowing the Kiwi driver to maneuver and make up positions.
Currently, vying for his fourth title, the veteran V8 Supercars driver holds the second position with 2565 points and two rounds remaining at the Adelaide Street Circuit. Leading the points is fellow NASCAR newcomer Brodie Kostecki. The Adelaide race marks van Gisbergen’s final stint with the Triple Eight Race Engineering team, with Will Brown poised to take over his seat as he sets sights on a NASCAR career.
Beyond his aspirations in the Cup Series, the driver intends to compete in the Truck and Xfinity Series. Having sampled the Truck series earlier this year, securing a respectable 19th place with Niece Motorsports, van Gisbergen also secured a Top 10 finish in the Cup Series on the same weekend.
Trackhouse Racing undeniably struck gold with a driver of van Gisbergen’s caliber. His stellar record includes an impressive 81 race wins in the V8 Supercars championship, alongside three titles, 176 podium finishes, and 48 pole positions. With five wins this season and two races remaining, the Kiwi driver stands a chance to secure his fourth championship and clinch a hat-trick of consecutive titles.
As his NASCAR journey beckons, while van Gisbergen may not storm into the scene as he did at Chicago, fans can anticipate remarkable performances and his presence among the frontrunners.
ALSO READ: Shane van Gisbergen Journey: From Supercars to NASCAR Transition
Our Reader’s Queries
Is Shane van Gisbergen going to NASCAR?
Get ready for a major shakeup in the NASCAR world as Shane van Gisbergen is set to make his mark in America. The Kiwi driver will be racing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and will also be participating in at least seven NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024. This exciting news was announced by Trackhouse and Kaulig Racing on December 13th at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Keep your eyes peeled for this rising star as he takes on the American racing scene.
Who is van Gisbergen racing for in NASCAR?
Shane van Gisbergen has been signed up by Trackhouse Racing for a NASCAR programme in 2024, which will cover the top three national series. This exciting news has been confirmed by the team, who are thrilled to have van Gisbergen on board. The talented driver is sure to bring his skills and experience to the track, and we can’t wait to see what he will achieve in the coming years. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development!
Why did SVG quit Supercars?
The reigning Supercars champion, Shane van Gisbergen, has put an end to months of speculation by announcing his departure from the Red Bull Racing team. He will be leaving at the end of the current season to pursue his dreams of driving overseas. Will Brown has been signed as his replacement, with a three-year deal in place.
Is Shane van Gisbergen leaving v8 Supercars?
After much anticipation, Shane van Gisbergen’s departure from Supercars has been officially confirmed. Triple Eight Race Engineering, the team he has won three championships with, has announced that they will be parting ways at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
