Shane van Gisbergen has quickly established himself in NASCAR since moving to the United States two years ago, bringing with him a connection to home through his beloved pets. While the absence of his father leaves him missing Australia, his dogs serve as a comforting presence throughout his stock car racing career, grounding him amid a demanding schedule.
Ronald: The Dog Who Made the Trans-Pacific Move
Van Gisbergen’s dog Ronald, who recently featured during his NASCAR Cup victory interview at Watkins Glen, symbolizes more than just a pet; he represents a piece of home on the road. Shane shared that they welcomed Ronald in early 2023 when he was only a few months old, originally without plans to move to the United States.
So, we got him (at the) start of ’23 in Australia and had him. Got him that year. He was, I think, five-six months old when we got him. We were looking at getting a dog for a while, and then we didn’t plan to move to the States at that point. Got him and then we loved him and thought we can’t leave him behind, so we bought him with us,
—Shane van Gisbergen
Ronald, now almost three, has joined Shane at multiple races and was famously present when van Gisbergen celebrated in victory lane for the first time. Shane emphasizes the special connection they share on and off the track.
He’s an amazing dog. He’s almost three now, but yeah, really cool. Take him to quite a few races, and that was the first time we had him in victory lane. So, really, really cool to have him there,
—Shane van Gisbergen
The Names and Personalities of Shane’s Canine Companions
Shane’s girlfriend, Jessica, chooses unique, human-like names for their pets, adding a personal touch that makes calling them out amusing yet fitting. Alongside Ronald, another dog named Steve regularly appears in van Gisbergen’s social media posts, pictured either relaxing in the car or attentively watching the road during travels.
These companions provide emotional support and a sense of familiarity that helps van Gisbergen maintain his passion and focus throughout his racing career in the United States.
