Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion from New Zealand, made headlines nearly two years ago by winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Chicago Street Course on his debut, a feat unmatched in over 60 years. Since then, van Gisbergen has committed to a full-time NASCAR season, showcasing his exceptional road racing skills, especially in wet conditions, which highlight his rare talent in the NASCAR road courses.
The upcoming race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City shares key similarities with van Gisbergen’s 2023 victory in Chicago, including it being the Cup Series’ debut at the track. This unique setting, combined with the potential for challenging weather conditions and his proven ability on road courses, has raised anticipation that van Gisbergen could secure his second career Cup Series win soon.
Van Gisbergen’s Advantage on Unfamiliar Road Tracks
Van Gisbergen’s triumph in Chicago was driven by a perfect storm of factors: a road course where he had an edge, unfamiliar territory for nearly all drivers, and wet weather conditions that disrupted the competition. This blend of elements created an environment where his talents shone brightest. With Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez presenting a similarly new challenge to the Cup Series, the conditions favor van Gisbergen’s strength in adapting quickly to fresh tracks under unpredictable circumstances.
Speaking ahead of the Mexico City event, van Gisbergen commented on the unique challenges the venue presents, noting the effects of altitude and track surface on car performance.
“It’s so hard to know what the car’s going to be like — it’s a different track, how it’s going to be affected by the altitude and the surface,”
he said.
“Watching those NASCAR Mexico cars drive around, they look like they’re driving on ice. It’s going to be interesting to feel what our cars are like in these conditions. But yeah, we should be up front. These are the types of tracks I’m good at, so we’ll see. These are the types of tracks I’m good at, so we’ll see.”
Conflicted Feelings About Rain Racing
Contrary to what many might expect given his prowess in wet conditions, van Gisbergen openly admits his dislike for racing in the rain.
“I absolutely hate racing in the rain, but I’m good at it. I’d rather it didn’t rain, but if it happens, we put the wets on and go,”
he said, emphasizing the complexity of his feelings. He elaborated on why rain racing is not enjoyable, despite his success in it:
“I just don’t enjoy it. It’s just never fun. You’re always sliding around, and it just turns stuff into chaos. It’s fun to watch, but I don’t really enjoy driving.”
This paradox showcases van Gisbergen’s professionalism and skill, as he competes effectively even in conditions that challenge his comfort and enjoyment of the sport.
Progress on Oval Tracks Offers New Hope
Although van Gisbergen excels on road courses, the oval races have been a tougher learning curve. His results have been gradually improving; after scoring only one top-20 finish in his first ten oval races, he has achieved three top-20 finishes in the last four events. This progress points to his growing comfort and adaptability in NASCAR’s diverse racing formats.
Reflecting on his development, van Gisbergen said,
“Yeah, it’s been definitely a big upswing the last few weeks. I feel like I’ve had to start again. Last year taught me a lot and helped me get acclimated into American racing, but the cars (Xfinity versus Cup) are just chalk and cheese different. There’s no comparison to how they drive; how they react in the air. I feel like I’m learning everything again. I went to Nashville the other weekend and the cars drive nowhere similar. I feel like I’m not a complete rookie altogether, but the results are improving and the pace is getting better. I feel like we’re not forcing it. I’m not doing stupid stuff trying to keep up every week. I think we’re being methodical; getting better every week, learning our processes and our genuine competitiveness has gotten a lot better.”
He also acknowledged slight frustrations with recent finishes:
“We’ve been frustrated with 18th or whatever it’s been the last couple of weeks because we had potential to be at the back end of the top-10 or 15th, which is a decent result for how it’s been going. If we keep progressing on the ovals and with these road courses coming up, anything can happen. I’m relatively happy. Justin [Marks, team owner] has been amazing in supporting me and just giving me all the time I need and not putting pressure on me. It’s been really cool.”
Road Races Provide a Welcomed Break and Playoff Chances
Van Gisbergen describes upcoming road course events as a bit of a “holiday,” providing a break from the intense learning process on ovals. For him, the road courses play to his strengths and offer a viable path to secure his spot in the playoffs. A victory in Mexico City would ease the pressure, ensuring automatic qualification while he continues adapting to NASCAR’s oval racing demands.
During Friday’s practice sessions at Mexico City, van Gisbergen showed promise by placing within the top ten, reinforcing his potential to contend strongly for the win this weekend.
Emerging Stories from the NASCAR Mexico Race
The Cup Series race in Mexico City also highlights notable efforts from other drivers. Todd Gilliland set the fastest lap in practice, signaling a competitive field. Meanwhile, Ryan Truex reflected on an intense few weeks leading to his surprise ride with Joe Gibbs Racing for this event, demonstrating the dynamic nature of team lineups. In addition, Carlos Contreras, making history as NASCAR’s first full-time driver from Mexico, represents a significant milestone for the sport locally and adds a compelling narrative at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
As the Cup Series returns to Mexico for the first time at this circuit, these stories will unfold alongside Shane van Gisbergen’s quest to turn his road racing mastery and improving oval form into sustained success in the 2024 NASCAR season.
