Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing’s accomplished driver, casually revealed his marriage to Jess Dane while reflecting on life outside the racetrack after his recent victory at Watkins Glen. This revelation comes as van Gisbergen continues to make waves in the NASCAR Cup Series, highlighting a significant milestone both personally and professionally in 2024.
From Dating to Marriage: The Journey of Van Gisbergen and Dane
Van Gisbergen and Dane‘s relationship began in 2022 when he was competing in Supercars with Triple Eight Race Engineering, where Dane was a shareholder. After dating, they briefly lived together in Australia and adopted a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Ronald. Their move to the United States marked a new chapter, with van Gisbergen transitioning into stock car racing for Trackhouse Racing and Dane shifting from her role at Triple Eight to key positions at General Motors, including motorsports integration manager and later Corvette Racing program manager.
In mid-2024, Dane finalized her departure from Triple Eight by selling her 30 percent share to Earl Evans of Southern Cross Truck Rentals and Steve Blackmore of Shaw & Partners, signaling a deeper focus on her automotive career in the U.S. The couple has kept their personal lives discreet, and sources describe their wedding as an intimate, low-key event.
Life Beyond Racing: Dogs and Family at the Forefront
In a candid video, van Gisbergen discussed his life with his wife and their pets, highlighting their Rhodesian Ridgeback Ronald, who has become a regular presence at races, including a memorable appearance in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen. Van Gisbergen shared,
“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.”
He added,
“We were looking at getting a dog for a while. We didn’t plan to move to the States at that point.”
He expressed their bond with Ronald:
“So yeah, got him, loved him, and thought we can’t leave him behind, so we brought him with us.”
Ronald, he said, is “an amazing dog,” now nearly three years old and a fixture at several races.
Van Gisbergen also humorously noted Jessica’s tendency to give their pets human names:
“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.”
Their other dog, an Australian Red Heeler named Steve, stays home due to his unruly nature. Van Gisbergen described him with a laugh:
“Just a little guy. We rescued him last year. Had him about a year now,”
adding,
“He doesn’t travel. He’s a little menace. We can’t take him anywhere.”
Family Support and Upcoming Races
Van Gisbergen also shared the significance of having his father, Robert, present for his recent win after a period of absence due to health challenges.
“He’s had some health problems, so he hasn’t been able to fly,”
van Gisbergen explained, noting that his father’s visits have been limited to a few trips last year. Robert had hoped to attend earlier in 2024 but was unable to do so. Planning to attend upcoming races in Richmond and Daytona, Robert will likely return later in the season for final events. Van Gisbergen said,
“It’s always cool to have him here. He used to come to a lot of races when I was in Australia. He’d fly over for the weekend. It’s a bit harder now. It’s so cool to have him here and also to have a win too, it’s pretty special.”
Reflecting on the distance, van Gisbergen noted,
“[The United States] is a bit far. He loves home, as well.”
Looking Ahead: Van Gisbergen’s Next Race
Following his success at Watkins Glen, Shane van Gisbergen’s next NASCAR Cup Series race is scheduled at Richmond on Sunday, August 17, with the race beginning at 9:30 a.m. AEST. As he balances his burgeoning career in American stock car racing with new milestones in his personal life, including the quiet revelation of his marriage to Jess Dane, van Gisbergen’s story continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
