Shane van Gisbergen, the Trackhouse Racing driver, revealed his marriage to Jess Dane following his win at Watkins Glen. Speaking candidly in a video about life away from racing, van Gisbergen shared the previously private news, marking a notable moment in recent Shane van Gisbergen marriage news.
Van Gisbergen, previously competing for Triple Eight Race Engineering in Supercars, began dating Jess Dane in 2022, a time when Dane still held a shareholder position with the team. Their relationship quietly progressed while navigating the demands of motorsports, with both establishing roots together briefly in Australia. During this period, they adopted a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Ronald.
Couple’s Move to the United States and Career Transitions
After forming their bond in Australia, van Gisbergen and Dane moved together to the United States. Van Gisbergen shifted into stock car racing with Trackhouse Racing, while Jess Dane made significant career moves herself. Departing Triple Eight, Dane joined General Motors, first as motorsports integration manager, and subsequently as manager for the Corvette Racing program. These position changes reflect her strong presence in the motorsports world.
Midway through 2024, Dane officially ended her shareholding in Triple Eight by selling her 30 percent stake to Earl Evans of Southern Cross Truck Rentals and Steve Blackmore from Shaw & Partners. This milestone further separated her business interests from her previous team, setting the foundation for her expanded role at General Motors.
A Private Relationship and Intimate Wedding
Throughout their time together, Shane van Gisbergen and Jess Dane kept their relationship mostly out of the public spotlight. According to Speedcafe, the wedding ceremony itself was low-key, in line with the couple’s preference for privacy. There was little public mention of the event prior to van Gisbergen’s post-race video revelations.
In the same video, van Gisbergen spoke about daily life, including their two dogs, Ronald and Steve, both of whom played parts in their personal journey from Australia to the United States. Ronald, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, spent considerable time with the couple trackside and made his debut in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen.
We got him at the start of ‘23 in Australia and got him that year. He was five or six months old when we got him,
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Van Gisbergen reflected on their choices at the time and their commitment to caring for Ronald, even amidst a significant international move.
“We were looking at getting a dog for a while. We didn’t plan to move to the States at that point,”
he said, noting their affection for their pet and their resolve not to leave him behind.
“He’s an amazing dog. He’s almost three now. Really cool. We take him to quite a few races and that was the first time him in Victory Lane. Really, really cool to have him there.”
The couple shares a lighthearted approach to naming pets, as van Gisbergen explained:
Jessica, my wife, she seems to have a thing for human names. All our animals seem to have human names. It’s pretty funny, yelling out. It suits him.
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
When speaking lovingly about Steve, their Australian Red Heeler, van Gisbergen mentioned the differences between their two dogs. While Ronald thrives at the track, Steve is more reserved and stays home, as van Gisbergen remarked:
Just a little guy. We rescued him last year. Had him about a year now,
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“He doesn’t travel. He’s a little menace. We can’t take him anywhere.”
Family Support at the Track and Looking Ahead
Beyond sharing his personal life with Dane, van Gisbergen also discussed the significance of having his father, Robert, present at his latest win. This marked a meaningful occasion, with his father overcoming health challenges to attend races in person after a long period of watching from their home in New Zealand.
He’s had some health problems, so he hasn’t been able to fly,
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
The family had spent much time apart due to travel limitations, though van Gisbergen noted,
“He’ll do the next three. Richmond and Daytona as well and then probably come back later in the year for the last couple.”
Having family at the track, especially during significant moments, has become increasingly special for van Gisbergen as he continues his racing career in the United States.
He also acknowledged the distance separating his family in New Zealand from the racing scene in America, adding:
[The United States] is a bit far. He loves home, as well.
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Van Gisbergen is slated to race next at Richmond in the NASCAR Cup Series, scheduled for Sunday, August 17 at 9:30am AEST.
What This Means for Van Gisbergen’s Future
Shane van Gisbergen’s revelation sheds light on how personal milestones, such as marriage and family dynamics, are interwoven with the fast-paced world of motorsports. By sharing the news about Jess Dane and discussing their shared life away from the spotlight, van Gisbergen offers a more complete portrait of the athlete beyond the racetrack. As he competes in the NASCAR Cup Series and navigates major changes both professionally and personally, the support from his wife, family, and even their pets remains a driving force in his journey.
