Shane van Gisbergen, the celebrated Supercars champion from New Zealand, has cemented his commitment to stock car racing with a new multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing, dismissing retirement talks and underlining his continued passion for NASCAR. The announcement, made ahead of the Watkins Glen weekend, places van Gisbergen’s NASCAR retirement plans in the spotlight as he maintains his focus on the series and reflects on his career’s direction.
Trackhouse Racing Secures van Gisbergen for the Coming Years
After making a high-profile transition from Supercars to NASCAR in 2024, Shane van Gisbergen achieved remarkable success, claiming victory in the Chicago Street race on his first outing and securing four wins in the Xfinity Series that season. This remarkable debut led to a Cup Series promotion for 2025, where he clinched three more victories. In recognition of his performance, Trackhouse Racing has announced a multi-year contract extension with the 36-year-old driver, further solidifying his role with the team.
With the new contract, van Gisbergen joins the ranks of international racing stars choosing to extend their careers in American stock car racing. Though he now approaches his late thirties, his results and consistent form argue against any imminent departure from the sport, raising questions only because of the general age considerations prevalent among professional athletes.
Van Gisbergen Addresses Rumors Surrounding His Future
During a media session at Watkins Glen, van Gisbergen was directly questioned on the topic of retirement and his perspective on how long he envisions himself competing at the elite level. The driver responded openly, sharing his thoughts on longevity and the special position that race car drivers occupy compared to other athletes.
“I don’t really know. I haven’t thought about it. I definitely have a lot of years left in me. We’re lucky as race car drivers. We have a very long shelf life, you know? You see guys competitive till their late 40s, so I can go as long as I want. But I do have other things in racing I want to try.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, via Motorsports.com
Van Gisbergen highlighted that drivers in motorsports often enjoy careers that extend well into their 40s, a contrast to most other athletic professions. This perspective, grounded in his own motivation and the examples set by rivals and peers, means he sees no immediate reason to contemplate stepping away. At this point in time, his dedication remains with NASCAR, though he admits to having ambitions in other forms of racing down the line.
Ambitions Beyond NASCAR and Ongoing Focus
While van Gisbergen has no set timeline for winding down his NASCAR tenure, he is candid about his interest in broadening his racing experience before ultimately retiring. His list of future goals stretches across European endurance events and a return to the rally stages that first captured his imagination in recent years.
“I still want to do some European stuff. I want to do Nürburgring 24. That’s on my list to do that properly. I want to do a bit more rally car driving. I got into that 2021–22. That’s a crazy sport, so I’d love to do more of that. But definitely for now, I want to stay in NASCAR and concentrate on that, but I don’t have a timeline.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
His remarks make it clear that, despite other aspirations, his short-term and medium-term focus remains on performing at the top levels in NASCAR. The prestige and challenge of NASCAR competition continue to motivate him, with any ventures into European series or other racing disciplines on the horizon once his time stateside concludes.
Adjusting to Life in the United States and Missing Home
Alongside his professional pursuits, van Gisbergen has faced personal challenges since his move to the United States. The majority of his life and racing experience was based in New Zealand, competing in the Supercars championship before relocating in 2023. He’s spoken about the emotional toll the transition has taken, especially as he adapts to a new country, culture, and demanding schedule with Trackhouse Racing.
“Two years ago, I wasn’t meant to be here, so I’m really happy here at the moment and can see myself doing it for a while. But it is a sport that fully consumes you, you know? I am very homesick.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
Despite homesickness and the immersive nature of the sport, van Gisbergen maintains a positive outlook on his NASCAR journey. The sense of belonging fostered by Trackhouse Racing has helped with his adjustment, even though the longing for home persists.
Looking Forward: No Retirement Deadline, but a Return Home Is Inevitable
For Shane van Gisbergen, the future is defined by flexibility—remaining committed to NASCAR while leaving room for new adventures and, eventually, a return to his roots. The current stage of his career is guided by a balance between ambition and personal priorities, as he navigates the challenges of being far from home and the sport’s consuming demands.
“I miss home a lot, and there’s no time to get back there. I’m a long way from home. I’ll move back there as soon as I’m done racing, but yeah, to answer your question, there’s no timeline. I’m happy here for now.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
While van Gisbergen has not set a specific departure date from NASCAR, it’s clear that his legacy continues to build with each race. His ongoing form suggests there are still many milestones to achieve, both for himself and his supporters. Eventually, the lure of racing in other series and the desire to return to New Zealand will shape his path, but for now, NASCAR remains his primary pursuit, and official retirement appears a distant prospect.
