Shane van Gisbergen, noted for his remarkable NASCAR debut victory on the Chicago Street course in 2023, has openly expressed his strong dislike for racing in rainy conditions, even though he is known for being highly skilled on wet tracks. This revelation came as uncertain weather loomed over the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermano Rodríguez, placing the spotlight once again on van Gisbergen’s conflicted relationship with wet-weather racing, a key detail in the story of Shane van Gisbergen dislike for racing in the rain.
Van Gisbergen’s Turbulent Start: From Chicago to Mexico City
When Shane van Gisbergen made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in Chicago, the race was tumultuous from start to finish. Inclement weather and the unfamiliarity of racing on a street course for the first time created unpredictable conditions, providing a unique challenge for all drivers. In the midst of the commotion, van Gisbergen seized the opportunity to claim a memorable win, immediately cementing his reputation as a major talent in the series.
Now, as van Gisbergen prepares for the first Cup Series contest at Mexico City’s renowned Autodromo Hermano Rodríguez, he faces similar anxiety regarding the weather forecast, with clouds and the threat of rain expected to influence the event. The New Zealander admits he does not enjoy these chaotic wet conditions, even as he continues to record strong results when the track is slick with rain.
Despite his proven ability to excel when driving in adverse weather, van Gisbergen candidly discussed his personal aversion to such scenarios. The pressure of racing on minimal grip with heavy stock cars led him to voice frustration about the inherent unpredictability and increased risk. He makes it clear he would prefer to avoid rain-soaked races, yet he acknowledges that, if it rains, Trackhouse Racing must adapt quickly by swapping to wet tires and pressing forward without hesitation.
Van Gisbergen especially dislikes the chaos that ensues when racing in downpours, emphasizing that even top-tier drivers struggle for traction, and the race often shifts into unpredictable territory where experience offers limited advantage.
“I absolutely hate racing in the rain, but I’m good at it. I’d rather it didn’t rain, but if it happens, we put the wets on and go. I just don’t enjoy it. It’s just never fun. You’re always sliding around, and it just turns stuff into chaos. It’s fun to watch, but I don’t really enjoy driving.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, as reported by motorsport.com
Facing New Challenges in Mexico’s First NASCAR Cup Series Event
The move to Mexico’s Autodromo Hermano Rodríguez circuit brings fresh challenges not just for van Gisbergen, but for the entire Cup Series grid. The track has seen action from various motorsport categories, but for NASCAR teams and drivers, the event signals a jump into uncharted territory. The effect of altitude, surface texture, and changing weather conditions are all unknown variables that could shape the outcome of the race.
Van Gisbergen predicted the grip levels would be dramatically different at the Mexico City track, drawing comparisons to driving on ice based on observations of local NASCAR Mexico series footage. The lack of familiarity with the venue, combined with varying weather, fosters a sense of trepidation and excitement among competitors and fans alike, as the sport expands into new regions and faces new technical challenges.
“It’s so hard to know what the car’s going to be like, it’s a different track, how it’s going to be affected by the altitude and the surface, Watching those NASCAR Mexico cars drive around, they look like they’re driving on ice. It’s going to be interesting to feel what our cars are like in these conditions.”
—Shane van Gisbergen noted
Despite these unknowns, van Gisbergen remains optimistic about his prospects in Mexico. His record on road courses continues to position him as a driver to watch, particularly as the NASCAR Cup Series schedule shifts toward a series of road and street courses in the coming weeks. As a three-time Supercars champion, he has routinely shown that when given a competitive car, few can rival his performance on tricky layouts, regardless of what the weather brings.
Implications for the NASCAR Cup Series and Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Prowess
Shane van Gisbergen’s openness about his preference against racing in the rain, despite his skills in such conditions, underscores his competitive integrity and highlights the reality of the challenges drivers face. As the NASCAR Cup Series ventures into new locations like Mexico City and the threat of rain remains a constant factor, van Gisbergen’s perspective sheds light on the physical and mental demands placed on elite drivers when unpredictability and minimal grip define the track.
Still, van Gisbergen’s ability to adapt, even under duress, keeps him at the forefront of road course racing as the series reaches new markets and more international fans. Alongside notable names like Daniel Suarez, whose own pressures are highlighted by fellow drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., van Gisbergen is set to continue impacting the sport’s ongoing growth and competitiveness on both dry and wet circuits as the season progresses.
