NASCAR Cup Series rookie Shane van Gisbergen, known for his four road-course victories this season, is shifting focus to prepare for his upcoming NASCAR Cup Series debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). While road courses have been his strength, van Gisbergen has faced challenges on oval tracks. With the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 12 quickly approaching, he aims to perform well this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway before tackling the flat 1.058-mile oval at NHMS next Sunday in the Mobil 1 301.
Intense Preparation and Focus on Bristol’s Challenges
Van Gisbergen described his approach to race preparation as a detailed process, stating,
“Tuesday or Monday, we debrief the weekend before, and then Tuesday start preparing for what we got coming up that weekend,”
emphasizing the importance of adapting quickly. He acknowledged the difficulty Bristol presents for him and underscored the need for improvement in qualifying and race execution:
“This week’s been pretty full on trying to understand Bristol. It’s a tough track for me, and just need to qualify better, and yeah, it’s gonna be a tough one to try and advance. If we get it right, maybe we can, so that’s kind of been the focus, qualify well, and try and get some stage points, and get up front and hopefully we get through the next round.”
Building Experience at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Earlier this year, van Gisbergen made his first appearance at NHMS in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, starting 28th and finishing 18th. The upcoming Sunday, September 21, marks his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series at the same track, also known as The Magic Mile. This opportunity represents a major milestone for the New Zealand driver as he adapts to a new venue in the premier series.
Reflecting on the experience ahead, van Gisbergen said,
“[A] new experience is always cool,”
and added,
“I always like going to new places and new tracks for the first time. I raced there last year in Xfinity, but never driven a Cup car there, so yeah, it’d be fun to do something different again and try it out and try and be good there.”
Potential for a Historic Victory at NHMS
If van Gisbergen can capture a win at NHMS on September 21, it would mark several important firsts – his first NASCAR Cup Series start at the track, first oval victory, and even a personal first involving a local New England tradition. He shared his curiosity about the local culture with a lighthearted comment,
“I’ve never touched a lobster or seen one up close, so I don’t really know what I’d think.”
Weekend Schedule Features Multiple Series and Entertainment
The racing action at NHMS begins on Friday, September 19, with practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT), NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS), and the SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. Saturday features a doubleheader with the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, the Team EJP 175 NCTS Playoffs race, and NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying.
On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the Round of 12 with the Mobil 1 301 at The Magic Mile. Fans will also enjoy extensive off-track activities including The Magic Mile Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, concerts by Draw the Line and Being Petty: The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Experience, driver appearances, a family movie night featuring Captain America: Brave New World, fireworks, and various live performances.
Attendance and Engagement Opportunities for Fans
Tickets and camping for the New England NASCAR Playoffs weekend, which includes the Mobil 1 301, Team EJP 175 NCTS Playoffs, Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, and SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels, are available through NHMS. Children 12 and under can attend Sunday’s events for just $10, with free admission on Doubleheader Saturday and discounted tickets starting at $10 on Friday.
To stay updated on all events and activities, fans can follow New Hampshire Motor Speedway on social media platforms such as Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), X (@NHMS), and Instagram (@NHMS), as well as through the official NHMS website and mobile application.
Looking Ahead to Van Gisbergen’s Impact at NHMS
Shane van Gisbergen’s entry into the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire represents a significant step in his rookie season, as well as an important chance to solidify his presence on oval tracks. His determination to improve at Bristol and eagerness for his New Hampshire debut highlight a driver intent on overcoming challenges and making a statement during the playoffs. With a full weekend of racing and fan experiences scheduled at NHMS, the event promises to be an exciting showcase for both van Gisbergen and NASCAR enthusiasts across New England.
