Shane Van Gisbergen recently secured a contract extension with Trackhouse Racing, reinforcing his dedication to NASCAR. During a media session, the New Zealand driver revealed that his full commitment to NASCAR developed after an impressive 10th place finish at the Indianapolis oval, where he experienced “the most fun” he’s had racing in years.
Van Gisbergen’s entry into NASCAR was marked by immediate success, as he claimed victory in his debut race at Chicago in 2023. After competing in additional Cup Series events the same year, he announced plans to run full-time in the Xfinity Series for 2024, setting the stage for a rookie Cup season in 2025. His recent contract extension reflects the confidence both he and Trackhouse Racing have in this accelerated path.
Van Gisbergen Reflects on His Transition and Passion for Oval Racing
Asked about his decision to fully embrace NASCAR, Van Gisbergen cited his experience at the Indianapolis race as pivotal. With a background dominated by V8 Supercars, he acknowledged the challenge and excitement that NASCAR’s oval tracks presented, finally motivating him to pursue this new chapter wholeheartedly.
“The truck race was awesome. I thought this is going to be really cool to do and even so when after Indy I think we did a deal pretty quickly after that. Right from the start I’ve enjoyed life and here and racing every week and the challenge it was probably time for me to have a new challenge in my career. I’ve done V8 Supercars for 15 years or something. So, yeah, the timing was just perfect and I don’t regret any minute. It’s been the most fun I’ve had in racing for a long time. It’s been really cool,” Shane Van Gisbergen described. —Shane Van Gisbergen
Trackhouse Racing’s Perspective on Signing Van Gisbergen
Justin Marks, team owner of Trackhouse Racing, elaborated on the significance of extending Van Gisbergen’s contract. Marks described working with the Kiwi driver as “a really fun project,” highlighting how quickly Van Gisbergen has progressed from road course victories to competitive performances on ovals.
Marks stressed the importance of Van Gisbergen’s rapid development in adapting to oval racing, despite his previous experience primarily being in V8 Supercars and other formats not typically aligned with NASCAR’s oval tracks. This adaptability and growing success played a key role in Trackhouse’s decision to make a long-term commitment.
“I think it’s been obviously, we’ve got someone here that that can win kind of anytime we show up on the road courses and winning’s so important here in the Cup Series obviously, but I think what kind of excites us at Trackhouse more than anything is his speed of development on the ovals and just working with him day in and day out and recognizing that even though his history and racing has been not very similar to what the competitors in the Cup Series had with just a lack of experience on the ovals,” Marks elaborated. —Justin Marks
Marks emphasized Van Gisbergen’s talent, tireless work ethic, and significant gains on oval tracks, noting that the driver‘s skill set now includes potential wins on NASCAR’s most iconic circuits. These factors underpin the confidence Trackhouse Racing holds in Van Gisbergen’s future success.
Outlook for Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Career
Shane Van Gisbergen’s continued growth and commitment signal a promising trajectory in NASCAR. With a solid contract extension in place, his move to full-time competition in the Xfinity Series next year and rookie status in the Cup Series in 2025 will give him a strong platform to build on his early victories and growing oval expertise.
As Van Gisbergen adapts further and gains experience on varying track types, his role within Trackhouse Racing may well expand, potentially transforming him into one of NASCAR’s leading competitors. The rapid pace of his development highlights an exciting chapter not only for the driver himself but also for the organization supporting him.
