Shane van Gisbergen Supercars influence is making its mark well beyond Australian motorsport, with NASCAR drivers like Jesse Love and Austin Cindric drawing inspiration and guidance from the seasoned champion ahead of the 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series finale in Adelaide. As Supercars prepares for its grand final, van Gisbergen’s success and mentorship are shaping a new wave of cross-continental racing talent determined to conquer both hemispheres on track.
Jesse Love Credits Shane van Gisbergen for Supercars Ambitions
Jesse Love, reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, is among the high-profile American drivers set to take part in the 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series’ closing event in Adelaide, joining 22 other competitors for the final showdown. Love acknowledges that his interest in Australian Supercars began with Shane van Gisbergen’s move to NASCAR in 2023, which changed how he perceived the V8-powered category.
In early 2024, Love participated in a test session at COTA with Richard Childress Racing drivers, where training vehicles replicated the handling of Cup and Xfinity series machines. Although Love didn’t pilot the available V8 Supercar, the experience introduced him to Terry Wyhoon, the boss at Image Racing. This encounter paved the way for his Australian Supercars debut, where he’ll drive the #57 ZB Commodore for Image Racing, a seat formerly held by Ben Grice, with teammate Jarrod Hughes in the #118 car.
Love detailed how van Gisbergen piqued his curiosity and lit the path to his Supercars journey during a conversation on Eric Estepp’s YouTube channel.
“I always wanted to do the V8 thing only because of SVG really. I didn’t even really know about it until Shane. Again, I like in my free time I’ll watch sprint car racing, things like that. Didn’t even realize what was going on in Australia other than midget sprint cars,”
he said (15:48 onwards). – Jesse Love, NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion
“When me and Shane got close and became good friends, I started looking into it and I was like, ‘Man, this looks like so much fun.’ But more importantly, I was like, ‘There’s so much for me to learn here.’
“The stuff that Shane does is like magic, right? So, if I can go over there and trial by fire, get my butt kicked and learn some of that magic that Shane has, it’ll be a huge experience for me,”
he continued. – Jesse Love, NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion
Arriving in Australia on November 23, Love wasted no time taking to the Mallala Motorsport Park, logging his first proper laps in his new car and describing it as more physically demanding than any vehicle he has driven before. Love enters the Adelaide weekend alongside other prominent Americans, including NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric, who will pilot a Tickford Racing wildcard Mustang in the top-level Supercars field. The influx of American talent at the Supercars climax signals a growing respect and curiosity for the discipline, directly fueled by van Gisbergen’s example and achievements.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Legacy: Champion, Mentor, and Game-Changer
Shane van Gisbergen stands as a three-time Supercars champion, lauded for his prowess and tactical mastery behind the wheel. Exiting Supercars in 2022 after dominating Australian V8 racing, van Gisbergen turned heads internationally with a sensational win at Chicago in his first ever NASCAR Cup Series road course race. He has since accumulated five additional road course victories and secured a playoff spot in his rookie NASCAR season, adding to his legendary status among both American and Australian fans.
Following in van Gisbergen’s tire tracks, Jesse Love and Austin Cindric represent the growing influence of his career not only as a driver but as a mentor and bridge between racing cultures. Image Racing’s Terry Wyhoon, instrumental in providing Love with his opportunity, represents the ongoing collaboration that van Gisbergen’s presence has catalyzed within the Supercars paddock.
Austin Cindric Embraces Advice from Van Gisbergen Ahead of Supercars Debut
Austin Cindric, preparing for his own Australian debut in Tickford Racing’s wildcard Mustang, is another Cup Series competitor reaping the benefits of Shane van Gisbergen’s guidance. While adapting to the unique Gen3 Supercars machinery, Cindric has leaned on advice from both van Gisbergen and fellow Supercars export Scott McLaughlin.
Cindric recounted his communication with the champion, highlighting the regular, hands-on support as he prepares for the demanding Adelaide Parklands Circuit.
“(Shane Van Gisbergen) has been really cool about the whole experience. It’s different than Scotty Mac, like he’s been texting me every single day since I’ve been here. But it’s cool, because Shane’s a competitor, but he still wants to see me have a good time and have a good experience.”
– Austin Cindric, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Van Gisbergen’s role as a mentor has gone beyond occasional advice, as evidenced by sharing strategic tips and encouragement with Cindric—like the recommendation to master right-foot braking to thrive in the Supercars environment. Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin, another transatlantic racing success story, has requested data from Cindric throughout the event to offer additional technical insights.
Cindric’s campaign is focused less on points and more on gaining vital experience in a new discipline, as his #05 Tickford Mustang, supported by Repco, Armor All, and Ford, sits outside the championship battle. His participation reinforces the growing profile and challenge of the Repco Supercars Championship’s season finale and the rising appeal among top-tier international drivers.
Van Gisbergen’s Ongoing Impact and the Future of Supercars
The confluence of American and Australian racing talents for the Adelaide finale is a testament to Shane van Gisbergen’s Supercars influence and a sign of the sport’s global resonance. By inspiring ambitious drivers like Jesse Love and Austin Cindric and guiding their integration into the Supercars world, van Gisbergen has not only elevated the competitive bar but has also created new pathways for international motorsport crossover.
As Jesse Love navigates the challenges of Super2 alongside Image Racing and Austin Cindric aims to conquer the Parklands street circuit, the eyes of fans and competitors are fixed on how this influx of international talent will shape Supercars’ future. With mentorship from iconic names like van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin, and the energetic push from organizations such as Tickford Racing and Image Racing, the boundaries between continents and racing codes are more porous than ever, promising a dynamic, globally influenced era for Supercars and motorsport at large.
