Jun
Despite having extensive experience on the street circuit, Shane van Gisbergen anticipates a challenging NASCAR debut in Chicago.
As part of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 initiative, the three-time Supercars winner will make his NASCAR Cup Series start in Chicago in July.
The Kiwi’s move from Supercars to NASCAR should be made easier by several things, beginning with the similarities between the two technical packages as they stand right now.
Even more so than if he were making his racing debut on a typical road track, van Gisbergen will benefit greatly from the fact that it is a street course rather than an oval.
Along with being unfamiliar to all of the NASCAR racers, the latest Supercars schedule includes street circuits at Newcastle, Albert Park, Townsville, Surfers Paradise, and Adelaide.
Despite having a lot of expertise on the street circuit, van Gisbergen does not anticipate being competitive right away.
“I guess it’s hard to just jump in one race, especially [as] they do more than one [road course] a year now so they’re pretty sharp,” said van Gisbergen.
“I have obviously taken notice the last couple of months and have tried to watch. They’re not billies. It’s not like there’s only two or three good road course racers anymore. The top 10 or 15 guys can drive and turn right now.
“It’s going to be very difficult.”
He had a successful run as a factory-sponsored GT racer with brands like McLaren and Mercedes, which resulted in victories in the Bathurst 12 Hour and the GT World Challenge Europe championship in 2016.
After starting from the pitlane, he later switched back to open-wheelers and won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 2021.
He has been racing on dirt recently as well, placing third in the WRC2 at Rally New Zealand last year, and participating regularly in the NZ Rally Championship this year.
Additionally, he spent the summer racing sprintcars in New Zealand.
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