NASCAR Cup Series newcomer Shane van Gisbergen is preparing to make his much-anticipated debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) next weekend, after a season marked by success on road courses but challenges on ovals. This Shane van Gisbergen New Hampshire debut comes as he shifts his focus from surviving Bristol Motor Speedway‘s cutoff event to mastering the flat, 1.058-mile oval in Loudon, with hopes of advancing further in the NASCAR Playoffs.
Van Gisbergen’s Road to New Hampshire
Shane van Gisbergen, a rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), has already secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the Playoffs with four road-course victories this season, but he has struggled on oval tracks. As he heads into the crucial cutoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway, van Gisbergen is concentrating on improving his qualifications and aiming for stage points to ensure his place in the next round.
“Tuesday or Monday, we debrief the weekend before, and then Tuesday start preparing for what we got coming up that weekend,”
said van Gisbergen. —Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“This week’s been pretty full on trying to understand Bristol. It’s a tough track for me, and just need to qualify better, and yeah, it’s gonna be a tough one to try and advance. If we get it right, maybe we can, so that’s kind of been the focus, qualify well, and try and get some stage points, and get up front and hopefully we get through the next round.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Learning from Past Experience at the Magic Mile
In 2024, van Gisbergen competed for the first time at NHMS in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, starting from 28th position and finishing 18th. Now, he returns to “The Magic Mile” for his first NCS start, aiming to translate his early learnings into a stronger showing behind the wheel of a Cup car during the Mobil 1 301 on Sunday, September 21.
“[A] new experience is always cool,”
said van Gisbergen. —Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
“I always like going to new places and new tracks for the first time. I raced there last year in Xfinity, but never driven a Cup car there, so yeah, it’d be fun to do something different again and try it out and try and be good there.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Aiming for Milestone Moments
If van Gisbergen can clinch victory at NHMS, it would mark several firsts: his inaugural Cup start at the track, his first career win on an oval in the series, and even his first encounter with the track’s celebrated lobster trophy. Such a feat would create a lasting memory in NASCAR lore.
“I’ve never touched a lobster or seen one up close, so I don’t really know what I’d think.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Action-Packed NASCAR Weekend Ahead
The NHMS race weekend begins on Friday, September 19, with practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT), NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS), and the SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The excitement ramps up on Saturday with the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, the Team EJP 175 NCTS Playoffs, and NCS practice and qualifying rounds. The main event takes place Sunday, as the NCS drivers take on “The Magic Mile” in the Mobil 1 301, officially launching the Round of 12 in the Cup Series playoffs.
Beyond the on-track action, fans at NHMS can enjoy the “Magic Mile Happy Hour Show,” Trackside Live, The Groove fan zone, concerts from acts like Being Petty: The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Experience, and Draw the Line. Family-friendly entertainment includes a movie night featuring “Captain America: Brave New World,” live performances, fireworks, and appearances by top NASCAR drivers. This blend of racing and off-track festivities promises a dynamic experience for fans of all ages, including kids, who can take advantage of special ticket pricing.
Continued Impact and Community Connection
Van Gisbergen’s New Hampshire outing comes amid a vibrant local racing scene that honors first responders, provides unique opportunities for fans at neighboring venues like South Boston Speedway and Grandview Speedway, and showcases the community spirit of New England. NHMS and its partners, including organizations such as USNEPower, play a key role in bringing together fans, families, and racers in a celebration of motorsports.
While van Gisbergen faces the challenges of adapting to new tracks and the pressure of the playoff format, his enthusiasm and openness to each experience reflect NASCAR’s broader focus on competitive spirit and fan engagement. As the season progresses, all attention will be on whether van Gisbergen can make history and clinch a breakthrough performance during his highly anticipated Shane van Gisbergen New Hampshire debut.
