Shane van Gisbergen, the accomplished Australian driver, has voiced sharp criticism of the recent Supercars Championship finale in Adelaide, expressing disappointment with both the event‘s outcome and format. Now fully immersed in NASCAR, van Gisbergen is focused on shaping his own NASCAR legacy, especially after securing his symbolic #97 car number for the upcoming season.
SVG’s Sharp Reaction to Adelaide Supercars Grand Final
Known for his passion as both a competitor and an observer, Shane van Gisbergen is never shy about his opinions on motorsport events. The Supercars Championship Grand Final drew a massive crowd as usual, but SVG found the final unsatisfying. In a recent interview, he described his declining interest in the event this year and cited the scheduling challenges and confusing points system that made following the competition difficult. As van Gisbergen told Speedcafe,
“I had no real interest in the racing this year. It was harder to watch. The races were always late Saturday night, and I was in bed watching, ready for my races on Sunday, but I found the finals pretty exciting. It was a little hard to follow with the points, but it led up to Adelaide being quite exciting.”
– Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Despite the event’s thrilling finish, SVG felt unsettled by how things concluded, especially considering his personal ties to many involved. Reflecting on the emotional complexity, he said,
“The ending was a bit odd, right? So, it’s also hard for me to be unbiased about it, obviously, because my team, that’s my old team. There’s a lot of my old guys working there, and I’m friends with Broc. But also, I like to think I’m friends with Chaz and also Woody as well. And yeah, seeing that happen, a teammate get involved in it, it kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth,”
added Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver.
Revisiting Rivalries and Changing Perspectives
Broc Feeney, SVG’s former teammate at Triple Eight Engineering, stepped up as a contender when van Gisbergen moved on. Meanwhile, Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood (Woody) of Walkinshaw Andretti United—longtime rivals of Triple Eight Engineering—were also central to the finale’s drama. Van Gisbergen admitted that the passage of time and distance, as he builds his NASCAR career, has softened old rivalries. Despite his friendships and former allegiances, he feels for all participants impacted by the controversial conclusion.
The Supercars Championship, officially the Repco Supercars Championship, is a global touring car series featuring races across Australia and New Zealand, with a history of international events in China, Bahrain, the USA, and the UAE. Its formats vary from spring sprints between 100 to 200 kilometres to longer endurance races like The Bend 500 and the iconic Bathurst 1000. The Adelaide Grand Final caps each season, drawing over a quarter of a million fans. In 2025, Chaz Mostert of Mobil1 Optus Racing claimed the drivers’ title, while Triple Eight Race Engineering clinched the team championship. SVG remains a celebrated alumnus of the series.
Van Gisbergen’s Focus Shifts to NASCAR and the #97 Car
As the new NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, van Gisbergen prepares to run with his cherished #97, a number deeply tied to his family. After driving the #88 in 2025, Trackhouse Racing made it possible for him to return to the number made famous by both SVG and his father, Robert van Gisbergen. This gesture carried profound significance, especially in light of the recent loss of SVG’s mother in 2024. As Robert van Gisbergen wrote,
“Mum would have been absolutely proud,”
– Robert van Gisbergen, Letter to Shane van Gisbergen
The #97 car holds immense sentimental value for SVG. Drawing comparisons to icons like Valentino Rossi and Jeff Gordon, he hopes #97 will become his own lasting motorsport signature. In his own words to Speedcafe, van Gisbergen emphasized,
“So, hopefully, people think of 97 as me. It’s great to have that as my identity. And I guess, it’s been my family race number since I started racing. So, very, very special to have that. It’s been on so many cars that I’ve raced and yeah, amazing. And when you see people with 97 merch, it means a lot to me.”
– Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Looking Ahead: Defining a NASCAR Legacy
In 2026, Shane van Gisbergen will enter the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, competing full-time alongside Ross Chastain and newcomer Connor Zilisch. SVG’s ambitions revolve around solidifying a unique identity in American motorsport, hoping to replicate the family legacy built around his car number and continue the momentum from his standout rookie season, which saw him win five road course races.
SVG’s strong perspectives and deep connections to both the Supercars Championship and NASCAR spotlight the challenges and emotional intricacies facing top drivers as they switch disciplines. As van Gisbergen commits to building his NASCAR legacy, fans are eager to see if #97 will become as synonymous with him as it is with his family history, shaping the next chapter for one of motorsport’s most versatile talents.
