Will Brown, the reigning Supercars champion, has brought attention to the unique Shane van Gisbergen braking technique as excitement builds for the 2025 Chicago Street Race. Brown’s perspective comes as he and van Gisbergen—both now contending in competitive American NASCAR events—prepare to showcase their skills in a rivalry shaped by distinct motorsport traditions.
Comparing Braking Styles: Supercars and NASCAR
Supercars and NASCAR may both feature powerful racecars, but the two series diverge significantly when it comes to braking approaches. In Supercars, right-foot braking is the norm, and it’s part of the classic driving tradition. NASCAR, in contrast, typically sees drivers employing a left-foot braking method. This difference can affect how drivers handle corners, control the car, and develop their technique over time.
Will Brown, explaining his transition between styles, recalled how he adopted right-foot braking when moving to Supercars from initial stints using the left-foot approach. The process, he shared, is not merely a technical switch but can shape the entire driving style. Brown’s journey reflects how drivers adapt to best fit the demands of their chosen series.
Van Gisbergen’s Rise and Unique Braking Approach
Shane van Gisbergen, popularly known as SVG, has become a well-known competitor in NASCAR, where he currently races the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 under Trackhouse Racing. As Brown prepares for further NASCAR starts, including a highly anticipated run at the Chicago Street Race, he openly discussed the skills that set van Gisbergen apart, especially his abilities with braking modulation.
The subject arose during Will Brown’s appearance on Corey Lajoie’s podcast, Stacking Pennies. Brown recounted an influential early career episode, saying,
“Yeah, I think it stems back a fair while ago. Like I remember Roland Dane, who used to own the 888, Red Bull, and Pole Racing I drive for. Now, I was, you know, 18, and I was driving in what would be our Xfinity, and I used a left-foot brake then. And, he sort of recognized me, and we were going through looking at how I could get a contract with them.”
—Will Brown, Supercars Champion
On the podcast, Brown described a common standard in Supercars:
“He said, I want to take you on board unless you are right foot brake. So, there’s actually only been one person probably in supercars in the last, I think, about 10 to 15 years that has been quite successful left-foot braking.”
—Will Brown, Supercars Champion
Pressed by Corey Lajoie, Brown revealed the exception: the driver Fabian Coulthard.
The Secret Behind Van Gisbergen’s Technique
Will Brown went on to highlight what truly makes Shane van Gisbergen’s braking technique stand out among his peers.
“I believe he would, but pretty much everyone over there. Shane does an amazing job at what he does, don’t get me wrong, but everyone over there is right-foot braking, heel, and toeing, and doing that, Shane just does a really good job at how he modulates the clutch,”
Brown explained, pointing to van Gisbergen’s finesse with clutch control as a defining asset. —Will Brown, Supercars Champion
This subtle yet advanced control gives van Gisbergen an extra layer of stability and responsiveness in corners, which could create a competitive edge in demanding events like the Chicago Street Race.
Technical Insights: Right vs. Left Foot Braking
Elaborating on the tactical differences, Brown drew on footage and race experience, saying,
“I still think you can use it a bit in these (NASCAR) cars. I have been looking at a lot of footage from last year of different guys at Chicago, and you really hear when they go for the down change, the rears start chattering.”
—Will Brown, Supercars Champion
Brown added perspective from his 2024 Cup Series debut at Sonoma, sharing,
“Hopefully, at Sonoma, I felt like you could modulate that a bit. If you can try to prevent that from happening and use the clutch to modulate that if you feel that it is locking rears, then it just allows you to have more stability in the corner.”
—Will Brown, Supercars Champion
The Path Forward: Skills and Adaptation Across Series
These insights offer a behind-the-scenes look at the techniques that separate drivers in elite motorsport. Will Brown and Shane van Gisbergen, each bringing experience from different racing cultures, will put these skills to the test on the streets of Chicago. Brown’s discussion of the Shane van Gisbergen braking technique has illuminated the importance of adaptability and technical mastery as competitors chase victory in one of 2025’s most anticipated street races.
With figures like Corey Lajoie, Fabian Coulthard, and Roland Dane shaping perspectives across NASCAR and Supercars, and events like Sonoma and the Chicago Street Race pushing drivers to refine their craft, the evolution of braking styles continues to be a key storyline for fans and participants alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen stated he made the “right choice” by leaving Supercars to chase a NASCAR career. This year, he’s beginning his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing after racing in Supercars for 15 years.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I’m leaving V8 Supercars for personal reasons that I’d rather not share publicly. I’m going to return to my home in New Zealand and have no set plans for what’s next.
