Van Gisbergen won that race on July 2, 2023. Two months later, on September 13, Trackhouse Racing announced his development agreement for 2024. He participated in the entire Xfinity Series season, won three times, and also competed in 12 more Cup Series races. To make it all fit, Van Gisbergen had to end an incredible career in the Australian Supercars, where he was a three-time champion, and move to the United States. Triple Eight Race Engineering did not stand in his way and released him from his contract.It doesn’t seem like two years have passed. But a lot has happened since then. Yes, incredible. We had a very strong car there last year and we also had the potential to win again. I’m really looking forward to coming back. Obviously, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that track. So it’s a very special and great place.
Shane van Gisbergen
Van Gisbergen vividly remembers his first victory, admitting he was very much in the moment. It was the best moment of his life, he says. Chicago will host its third consecutive, and perhaps final, NASCAR event this weekend. The street race is in the third and final year of its contract, but there are option years that would allow the city and NASCAR to keep it on the calendar. The circuit is 2.2 miles long and has 12 turns and sees the pack roar down Michigan Avenue, pass over a bridge on Jackson Drive, and cross the start/finish line on Columbus Drive in front of Buckingham Fountain. Receives the approval of Van Gisbergen, who has made a living competing on road and street circuits, but acknowledges that “it’s difficult” because there are no escape zones.It changed my life 180 degrees.
Shane van Gisbergen
His triumph two years ago impressed many, but it was the perfect storm of variables that aligned in his favor: a street circuit, wet conditions, and a car that seemed to adapt to his driving style. NASCAR’s Next Gen car, rightly or wrongly, has been compared to sports cars and Australian Supercars. Van Gisbergen has had to adapt to many things. And not just sitting on the opposite side of the car.Turn 1 and Turn 5 face each other, so you can’t have run-off areas. It’s dangerous. You’re on the fastest part of the track and there’s a concrete wall in front of you, and it’s awesome. It’s a lot of risk versus reward. I think it’s one of the coolest things, but it’s difficult when you make a mistake. I think for a street track, NASCAR has done very well in its first foray.
Shane van Gisbergen
The weight and tires are the biggest differences that Van Gisbergen points out. When asked if there were features of either car that he would love to combine, or if he preferred one over the other, he described the current version of the Australian Supercar as a “piece of shit”.The weight of the car is very different [heavier]. The way the car takes corners is different. The aerodynamic load is above instead of below, so the way it drives is very low to the ground and rigid, while the Supercars were high and rolled. So, on paper, they seem similar, but they are very, very different. They are alike, but also not.
Shane van Gisbergen
Van Gisbergen is enjoying driving the Next Gen car now as a full-time rookie in the Cup Series in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse. It has been an adjustment and difficult at times with inconsistent results, but he has embraced his new life and regularly expresses how fun it has been. He learns something every week.That’s one of the reasons I left. But the old Supercar was incredible. It was a really cool car. So I don’t miss the Supercar.
Shane van Gisbergen
It’s also been quite a while since he was at the bottom of the ladder rather than dominating a series. NASCAR is a completely different sport to what Van Gisbergen is used to, and despite having raced a lot all over the world, he feels there’s nothing quite like stock car racing. Before winning on the road course in Mexico City last month, his second career victory, Van Gisbergen was 33rd in the championship standings. Now, he will be in the postseason. Before that, there are opportunities for more victories. Chicago, for example, where van Gisbergen will be one of the favorites. Or in Sonoma, the following week. If not there, Watkins Glen is early next month. Oh, and if he and his team manage to advance in the first round of the NASCAR postseason, the Charlotte Roval is waiting in the second.That still excites me. It’s still fun to see us improve in areas and still lack in many areas where we also need to improve.
Shane van Gisbergen
It’s great.This is what I’ve enjoyed the most about my racing in a long time. Every week, it’s a new challenge. It’s not the same type of track every week. Even when you go to 2½-mile circuits, they are completely different from each other. So, every week feels refreshing, which is great, and there’s always something to try, and the cars are constantly developing.
Shane van Gisbergen
