Shane van Gisbergen, now celebrated for his achievements in NASCAR, has opened up about the serious obstacles that threatened to halt his racing aspirations. These Shane van Gisbergen racing career struggles occurred long before he became recognized as a top road course driver and multi-time Supercars champion.
A Tumultuous Period Nearly Ended a Promising Career
During a recent interview with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, van Gisbergen—often referred to as SVG—recalled a phase in 2012 that nearly brought his journey to an abrupt end. Legal disputes and growing public criticism left him disheartened and considering a step away from the sport entirely. According to van Gisbergen, guidance from his father played a pivotal role in convincing him to persist and seek a new environment within the racing community.
“In 2012, at the end of that year, I was out of racing. I wanted to stop, and I sort of did stop. And then Dad really convinced me to keep going, and we changed teams,”
he reflected. —Dad, Father
This transition to a new team marked a significant turning point. Blocking out the negative exposure and focusing solely on his performance, he went on to claim victory in his inaugural race with his new team, demonstrating immediate success upon his return.
Frustrations Within Team Dynamics and Management Changes
SVG attributed much of his distress to changes at his former team, Stone Brothers Racing. Issues such as a shift in ownership and a switch of manufacturers from ford/”>Ford to Mercedes left him doubting the organization’s direction. He was candid about feeling disconnected from the leadership and their chosen strategies, as reflected in his comments about the manufacturer transition:
“They were changing manufacturers (from Ford to Mercedes), doing it a completely different way that you knew wasn’t going to work, which I was right, they ran terrible.”
—Dad, Father
The environment at Stone Brothers Racing had become untenable for van Gisbergen. However, his reserved demeanor kept him from sharing his true feelings in public, leading to widespread misconceptions about his motives and state of mind at the time. Rumors circulated of personal struggles, while van Gisbergen wished he had provided clarity to his supporters and the broader community about his reasons for stepping away.
Contract Termination, Controversy, and Legal Disputes
Intent on regaining control over his racing future, van Gisbergen planned a break from professional competition, considering a period of relaxation with his family. He and Stone Brothers Racing ultimately agreed to end his contract early, freeing him from commitments for the years ahead. This agreement was meant to provide van Gisbergen with the space he desired to reassess and eventually rediscover his passion for racing.
However, less than two months after the signed termination, van Gisbergen surprised many by revealing his intention to compete with a different V8 Supercar team in 2013. This move directly contradicted the recent agreement and fueled feelings of betrayal within his previous team, setting the stage for legal action rooted in dissatisfaction and unvoiced frustrations.
Emergence as a Resilient and Determined Competitor
The ensuing conflict would prove to be a vital testing ground for van Gisbergen’s resilience. Facing court cases and negative press, he maintained his dedication to racing. The ordeal ultimately became a formative chapter in his story, shaping the confident and competitive NASCAR driver that now draws admiration from racer fans and road course specialists alike.
Van Gisbergen’s path demonstrates how perseverance in the face of doubt and high-pressure adversity can lead to significant professional growth. The Shane van Gisbergen racing career struggles that nearly forced him out ended up defining his determination and the legacy fans witness today.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Van Gisbergen left Supercars after having an impressive debut in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. He won in Chicago that year. When asked about his departure, he explained his dissatisfaction with the racing. “I didn’t like the Gen3 Camaro,” he stated.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. When thinking about his departure from Supercars, van Gisbergen mentioned he didn’t enjoy racing anymore. He described the Gen3 Camaro as an awful and dull car. He felt that he could only push it to 40 percent, and trying harder would lead to worse performance.
