Shane van Gisbergen, fresh off his first Circuit of the Americas victory in Austin, Texas, is considering a return to the NASCAR Truck Series. The New Zealand driver’s performance in multiple NASCAR divisions has ignited speculation about whether he will compete in the Craftsman Truck Series again, aiming to further his NASCAR journey.
Van Gisbergen’s Latest Success Sparks New Aspirations
On Saturday evening, van Gisbergen secured a notable win at Circuit of the Americas, celebrating in victory lane with his No. 9 SafetyCultureHQ Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. This accomplishment brought renewed attention to his ambition to expand his presence across NASCAR’s divisions, particularly after a strong record—eleven victories combined in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series.
With sustained momentum, the topic quickly shifted to whether van Gisbergen intends to add more Truck Series starts to his resume. In response to the speculation, van Gisbergen expressed a clear desire to revisit NASCAR’s third-tier national series.
“I would love to drive one of those trucks,”
van Gisbergen said in response to a question from FanBuzz. He hinted at possible plans for Watkins Glen or other races later in the year, reflecting ongoing efforts to make the logistics align for a Truck Series return.
Challenges in Pursuing More Truck Series Races
While enthusiasm remains high, van Gisbergen acknowledged the practical hurdles involved in making another Truck Series appearance. Racing at this level often comes with significant financial and scheduling challenges.
“But it’s hard to do. Everything costs money, I guess. But yeah, love to do more Truck starts.”
– Shane van Gisbergen
Despite these obstacles, the drive to participate again in the Truck Series is evident, as van Gisbergen considers these opportunities essential for his ongoing development as a NASCAR competitor.
Recap of Van Gisbergen’s Previous Truck Series Outing
Van Gisbergen’s only previous Truck Series start occurred shortly after he made headlines by winning his debut NASCAR race at the 2023 Chicago Street Race. As a multi-time Supercars champion, he swiftly captured attention in the United States, leading to an opportunity to compete on the oval at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park with Niece Motorsports, driving the No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado. In that outing, he finished nineteenth, capping his race without incident.
Since then, van Gisbergen has focused his efforts on the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Cup Series. His single season in the O’Reilly Series produced three victories, and his move to the Cup Series in 2025 brought five more wins. Throughout, he has continued to participate in select secondary series events, using these experiences to build his NASCAR credentials.
The Value of Multi-Series Experience
Although van Gisbergen’s primary commitment is to his full-time Cup Series schedule, he believes running in various NASCAR series—as in returning to the Truck Series—offers vital experience and learning opportunities. This versatility strengthens his racecraft, especially when adapting to different vehicles and tracks.
“Even things like today, the track, the cars are so different, but it’s so worthwhile,”
van Gisbergen said after his triumph at COTA.
“Like, I learned a lot today and tried a whole bunch of techniques, and I really hope it will help me tomorrow. So, yeah, I’d love to get in a truck, and I think it’ll make me a better driver.”
– Shane van Gisbergen
What Comes Next for Gisbergen in NASCAR?
Looking ahead, Shane van Gisbergen remains focused on his ongoing Cup Series campaign while exploring opportunities to enter additional O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events. His determination to re-enter the Truck Series underscores his commitment to growing as a NASCAR driver and maintaining a competitive edge across multiple series.
As van Gisbergen continues to blend passion with perseverance, fans and teams alike are watching closely to see when and where he might return to the Craftsman Truck Series. For now, his wins and adaptability mark him as a rising presence in the evolving NASCAR landscape, with every series offering a new challenge and another chance for victory.
Awesome day to finally get a win at COTA! The #9 @SafetyCultureHQ Chevy was great, stoked to be in a @JRMotorsports car again! 😀 Cup Race tomorrow, hopefully we have a good one! pic.twitter.com/2XjPEAgeyl
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) March 1, 2026
