Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey has drawn widespread attention for its speed and scale, but for the New Zealand racing driver, personal roots and family life remain at the heart of his rapid progression. As the Kiwi navigates racing in the United States, he credits not only his commitment on the track but the support of his family, beloved dogs Ronald and Steve, and the experiences that keep him grounded.
Balancing Life in NASCAR With Family and Furry Friends
Adjusting to the breakneck speed of NASCAR in America, van Gisbergen juggles his professional ambitions with a strong connection to home and daily routines away from the racetrack. The three-time Supercars champion shared insight into his past year, reflecting on his transition to U.S. racing, cherished family time, and the ever-reliable 88 team that he considers crucial to his results amid rising expectations.
Ronald, van Gisbergen’s energetic canine companion, became part of the household in Australia at the start of 2023, bringing a dose of normalcy amid the chaos of an international racing career. The move to the United States soon followed, but the family made sure their loyal dog would not be left behind.
“We were looking at getting a dog for a while, and then, yeah, we didn’t plan to move to the States at that point,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“We loved him and thought we couldn’t leave him behind, so we brought him with us. He’s an amazing dog. He’s been to quite a few races, and that was the first time we had him in Victory Lane. It was really cool to have him there.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
While the loyal Ronald has become a familiar face at the track, the choice of his name came from van Gisbergen’s wife Jess, who has a penchant for naming pets after people rather than animals.
“Jess, my wife, seems to have a thing for human names,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“All our animals seem to have human names, so it’s pretty funny yelling out. But it suits him.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Steve, a rescued Australian red heeler, joined the family last year but has a personality all his own.
“Yeah, he doesn’t travel. He’s a little menace,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“We can’t take him anywhere. They’re opposites, those two dogs.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Simple Pleasures Beyond the Circuit
Outside the intensity of competition, van Gisbergen relishes a lifestyle grounded in simplicity and comfort. He drives a black Chevy Tahoe, ideal for transporting Ronald, and his taste in music ranges from house rhythms to rock bands like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Tool. His culinary skills may focus on barbecue steak, while his movie preferences swing from the comedy of “The Waterboy” to the gritty drama of “The Departed.” Despite the public life, he admits he’s not one for karaoke. When asked about superpowers, he would choose teleportation to quickly visit his homeland, New Zealand.
Van Gisbergen’s longing for home became more pronounced when his father, Robert, was finally able to travel and see his son compete in the United States after dealing with health concerns.
“He hasn’t been able to fly for a while,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“He wanted to come earlier this year but couldn’t. He’ll do the next three, Richmond and Daytona as well, and probably come back later in the year for the last couple. It’s so cool to have him here. He used to come to a lot of races when I was in Australia, so it’s pretty special.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Having his father by his side coincided with a meaningful victory, making the occasion memorable for everyone involved.
Team Spirit and Milestones With the 88 Crew
The presence of family added extra weight to van Gisbergen’s recent accomplishments. Each race feels like the culmination of shared efforts, with strong support from the tight-knit 88 crew. The bond between the driver and his pit team is evident both in preparation and celebration.
“The whole team rises for these weekends and doesn’t let the expectation get to them. We know we’ve got a great chance to win, but we just do our jobs and then celebrate afterwards. We’re a pretty tight-knit unit, the 88 team, so it’s really cool to share those moments.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Famous for his post-race high-fives along the pit wall, van Gisbergen started this tradition at the Sonoma race, turning victory into a collective celebration.
“I saw how excited they were, and they were already standing on the wall when I went past, so I went back the other way. As a driver, you get the accolades, but it’s such a team effort. It’s cool to have them involved and just have fun.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Embracing Change and a New Racing Frontier
The past year has been a whirlwind for van Gisbergen. Breakout performances, like his Chicago street course win and signing a NASCAR contract extension, have cemented NASCAR as a new home after years in the Supercars paddock. Despite the challenges, the step was both unexpected and invigorating.
“I didn’t expect to be here a couple of years ago,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“I really enjoy it. Obviously, the road courses are great, but I love racing on the ovals. Some of the races where I’ve come 25th have been the most fun I’ve ever had. I love the challenge of being average and trying to get better. I’m really enjoying it at the moment.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Adapting to NASCAR’s Unique Demands
Adjusting to life and work in the United States and within the NASCAR community has required van Gisbergen to learn and adapt at unprecedented rates. Speaking with Sport Nation podcast in New Zealand, he acknowledged recent improvements in his performances, particularly on oval tracks, which have proved to be a greater learning curve than road courses.
“It’s been amazing the last couple of months,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
“We’ve really built up. I feel like our ovals are really improving, but the road courses have been so special — to win four now is cool.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Conquering ovals has been no small task, with their deceptive simplicity hiding a complex challenge.
“You’d think two corners only would be easier, but the style of racing here is just so different. The way the cars react, the way they’re set up, the way they load into the corners, the banking, and then the speed we’re going, almost 300km/h at most tracks. Plus, you get hardly any practice, just 15 minutes a week, so you’re learning on the fly in the race.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
A fresh start with Trackhouse’s program has reignited his passion for racing after a lengthy stint in Australia’s V8 scene.
“The V8s had gotten a little stale over there. I’d done it for 15–16 years. It was good to get a new challenge. I’ve actually enjoyed being below average at something and knowing you can get better. It’s been a really cool thing to do.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Learning, Progress, and the NASCAR Community’s Embrace
Van Gisbergen’s adaptation extends beyond the technical. The intensity and scale of NASCAR events, particularly in places like Daytona and Las Vegas, still impress him. The support from officials, teammates, and fans has made his transition smoother, even as competitors now see him as a strong road and street course contender.
“It’s almost every week that the places are packed. When you go to places like Daytona or Vegas, the speed and atmosphere are incredible. First lap at Vegas, you’re flat out at over 300km/h into a banked corner that looks like a wall, it’s nerve-wracking. I’m doing my belts up tighter than ever, but it’s such a rush.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Some elements of his Supercars experience have been helpful, particularly for NASCAR’s sporadic road course events.
“There are a few things we’ve done with setup, braking, and pedal positioning that have helped me here. We do five or six road courses a year, so that’s still a big part of the schedule.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Looking Ahead: Playoff Goals and Staying Grounded
As the playoff race approaches, van Gisbergen’s attention is focused on consistency, both in preparation and execution. With each win, his team accumulates crucial playoff points, but the driver prioritizes steady improvement over instant triumphs.
“It’s just time. We’ve improved a lot, but we still have a long way to go. Staying consistent and avoiding accidents should help us get through a round or two. Every win gives us more playoff points we can carry through.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Living in Mooresville, North Carolina, also dubbed “race city,” van Gisbergen feels connected to NASCAR’s beating heart while enjoying a degree of privacy outside major racing hubs. The non-stop racing schedule keeps him in the U.S., away from home and familiar surroundings.
“Where I live in Mooresville, it’s race city, everyone’s connected to NASCAR somehow. Around the rest of the country, you’re pretty anonymous. I enjoy it here, but I’m obviously homesick. Racing every week means I just can’t get home.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Nevertheless, knowing that fans from New Zealand and Australia follow his progress and show unwavering support regardless of his results provides reassurance and pride.
“It’s very humbling. Kiwis and Aussies support each other overseas, and I see Kiwi flags at a lot of tracks. Even on bad weeks, the support is amazing. I’m really thankful; it’s hard to put into words how much it means.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
The Ongoing Journey and Its Impact
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey is defined by more than just victories on the track. His rapid rise speaks to the importance of staying grounded — through family, loyal pets, and maintaining ties to New Zealand. As the playoffs near and expectations rise, van Gisbergen’s story demonstrates how resilience, strong support systems, and the embrace of new challenges are shaping a unique and memorable motorsport chapter. From the camaraderie of Team 88 to the presence of fans waving Kiwi flags, his journey is one watched by enthusiasts in both hemispheres, carrying the spirit of home while forging a future in American racing.
