Shane van Gisbergen made a remarkable NASCAR debut on the streets of downtown Chicago two years ago, instantly making a powerful impression on the racing community. This year, he is set to return to Chicago for NASCAR’s third street race on the challenging urban circuit. The significance of his debut lies in how it transformed his career and introduced a fresh perspective to the sport.
Known as SVG, van Gisbergen stunned the NASCAR world with a win in his very first race, a feat that had not been achieved in nearly six decades. His success during that weekend not only surprised many but also marked a turning point in both his professional journey and NASCAR’s landscape.
From Supercars Champion to NASCAR Race Winner
Before stepping into stock cars, Shane van Gisbergen was a well-established figure in New Zealand and Australia, celebrated for his three Supercars championships and respected reputation in that series. When Trackhouse Racing launched their Project91 initiative, van Gisbergen embraced the opportunity to explore NASCAR, a move that paid tremendous dividends.
Driving the No. 91 Chevrolet, van Gisbergen secured victory at his first NASCAR Cup Series race in Chicago, an achievement that echoed throughout the motorsport world. Reflecting on the two years since that race, he shared,
“It doesn’t feel like it’s been two years,”
emphasizing the rapid changes that followed.
“But so much has happened since then. Yeah, amazing. We had a really strong car there last year, too, and had the potential to win it again. I’m looking forward to getting back there.”
The race dramatically altered his trajectory.
“Obviously, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that track. So, it’s a pretty cool and special place. It changed my life 180 degrees,”
van Gisbergen remarked, acknowledging the unique impact of the Chicago street course on his career.
Following his victory, he secured a developmental contract with Trackhouse Racing, moving to a full-time position in the Xfinity Series last year where he won three times. This season, he is competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.
Anticipation Builds for Another Chicago Street Race
Van Gisbergen is preparing to tackle the Chicago street circuit again, a demanding 2.2-mile track featuring 12 tight turns with virtually no margin for mistakes. Despite the inherent dangers, he regards the course as one of the most exciting on the NASCAR schedule.
“Turn 1 and Turn 5 face each other, so you can’t have runoff,”
he explained.
“It’s dangerous. You’re in the fastest part of the track, and there’s a concrete wall in front of you, and it’s great. It’s so much risk versus reward.”
He praised NASCAR’s efforts in managing this newly introduced street race format, stating,
“I think it’s one of the coolest things, but it’s difficult when you get it wrong. I think for a street track, NASCAR has done very well for their first go of it.”
The rookie season has presented challenges for van Gisbergen, particularly with the complexities of the Next-Gen car and adapting to oval tracks, which are unfamiliar to him. Nevertheless, he has embraced these hurdles and demonstrated his skill, securing a win in Mexico City and showing strong performance on ovals like Atlanta before an incident ended that race prematurely.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Ongoing Pursuit of Street Circuit Success
This weekend, van Gisbergen will compete on the Chicago street course in both the NASCAR Cup and the Xfinity Series races, reinforcing his status as a frontrunner in street circuit events. With upcoming races at Sonoma and Watkins Glen, he has multiple opportunities to further establish himself as one of the top drivers on these complex and demanding tracks.
His compelling journey from being relatively unknown in NASCAR to becoming a fan favorite and race winner highlights the growing influence of international drivers in the series and the expanding diversity of motorsport talent. As van Gisbergen continues to adapt and excel, his story remains one of perseverance, skill, and the pursuit of racing excellence on some of the most challenging circuits.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes he made the best choice by leaving Supercars to focus on NASCAR. This year, he began his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a step below the top-level Cup Series, with Kaulig Racing. Before this, he spent 15 years racing in Supercars.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I am stepping away from V8 Supercars because of personal matters that I prefer to keep private. I plan to return to New Zealand and currently have no set plans for what comes next.