Shane van Gisbergen’s Journey in NASCAR: Balancing Struggles and Fun in a New Arena
“You have to expect the unexpected.” These words define Shane van Gisbergen’s mindset as he transitions from dominating Supercars to navigating the challenging world of NASCAR. Hailing from New Zealand, the three-time Supercars champion is adapting to NASCAR’s grueling oval circuits, a sharp departure from the high-speed turns and shorter bursts of action back home. While his journey has been filled with standout moments, SVG is the first to admit there have been bumps along the way.
From Supercars Glory to NASCAR Success
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey began with a bang. In July 2023, he made history by becoming the first driver in over 50 years to win a Cup Series race on his debut at the Chicago Street Race. Since then, he has continued to build an impressive résumé, securing victories in his full-time Xfinity stint on road courses in Portland, Sonoma, and Chicago. However, even a racing prodigy can face hurdles.
Despite his road course expertise, SVG’s transition to short tracks has been a challenge. With no top-10 finishes and a disappointing 34th-place result at Iowa, he’s still finding his footing. Add to that a crew chief shuffle during the Xfinity season—switching from Bruce Schlicker to Kevin Walter—and it’s clear his NASCAR journey is as much about learning as it is about racing.
SVG Opens Up About the Highs and Lows
As SVG prepares for his full-time Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing in 2025, he isn’t shy about addressing the challenges he’s faced. Speaking to Aussie sponsor Quad Lock, the Kiwi driver reflected on the emotional rollercoaster of racing:
“It’s not easy, being a race car driver. It’s really fun, it’s a pretty special job, but it can be tough too, you know. There are periods, you see it a lot in drivers… the wave of how you’re going is pretty rough sometimes. Yeah, I had some bad times. But thankfully, recently, it’s been pretty good.”
Despite the struggles, SVG stays grounded by focusing on his love for the sport, a passion rooted in childhood memories of racing with his father. NASCAR’s packed schedule has helped him embrace the sport’s unpredictability:
“I used to have so much fun when I was a kid racing. You just remember why you started – I always enjoyed racing going with my dad. And now I just try and race for fun. Especially in NASCAR, I try and not get too caught up in it. Like you have a bad week, and then you have another race next week. So you get over it pretty quick and move on. But you also have to stay grounded when you have a good one as well because it can bring you down to earth pretty quick too.”
From Supercars Frustration to NASCAR’s Thrill
SVG’s decision to leave Supercars wasn’t just about seeking new challenges—it was about reigniting his passion. After 17 years and three championship titles, the introduction of Gen 3 cars in Supercars drained the fun from the sport for him. On Dale Jr.’s Download, he didn’t hold back:
“It’s just the new car and stuff, and there’s so much background… They changed [the car]. A whole new chassis and concept. Everyone is the same, same parts. The qualifying there is awesome, but the racing sucks. It’s so boring. You’re driving around at 30 percent trying to keep the tires and everybody is just following each other.”
In contrast, NASCAR reignited his love for racing: “I came here [to NASCAR] and the race is just a hustle the whole time, you’re driving flat out. That’s what I love.”
Looking Ahead
As Shane van Gisbergen continues to adapt to NASCAR, he’s already shown glimpses of greatness. His focus on enjoying the process, combined with his undeniable talent, makes him a driver to watch in the 2024 Cup Series. Whether on a road course or an oval, SVG’s journey is just beginning, and fans can’t wait to see how he rises to the challenge.
