Van Gisbergen rates Bathurst higher than dream NASCAR debut
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 3 July 2023
Shane van Gisbergen has vowed he “still loves Supercars” after his dream NASCAR Cup Series debut on the streets of Chicago.
The motorsport world was erupted on both sides of the Pacific Ocean by Van Gisbergen, who became the first driver in six decades to win a rookie NASCAR Cup Series race since Johnny Rutherford at Daytona in 1963.
In fact, by topping practice and qualifying third, he had already caused a stir with major sponsor Enhance Health hoping to arrange future drives pre race.
The Kiwi racing the Project91 Trackhouse Racing Camaro did it the hard way, coming from as far back as 18th during a chaotic final stage, which included a thrilling dice for the lead with Justin Haley and overtime.
With Van Gisbergen having never even turned a lap in a NASCAR before as recently as a week ago, a win on debut really was the stuff of dreams.
Shane van Gisbergen performs a trademark burnout to salute a stunning NASCAR Cup Series win at Chicago. Photo by LAT Images
He was visibly emotional and stunned in victory lane and he was still trying to process the extraordinary events when he faced the press.
“It is something I guess you dream about,” Van Gisbergen said.
“When Justin (Marks) first approached me about it, he said it could happen and I’m on the short list and when he gave me that call it was pretty special.
“I knew it was going to be difficult and they have very good drivers here, so it was tough.
“Qualifying was intense and the racing was really fun, but everyone was respectful and clean. It was really cool.”
Shane van Gisbergen, leads Ty Dillon around the streets of Chicago. Photo by Nigel Kinrade / NKP / LAT Images
After arriving in Australia as a baby-faced Kiwi, van Gisbergen has achieved everything in the Supercars sphere.
Since his breakthrough success on home turf in his fourth full time season for Stone Brothers Racing in 2011, he has risen to fourth on the all time Supercars race wins list with 78 next to his name.
Along the way he has won three championship crowns in 2016, 2021 and 2022, plus claimed two Bathurst 1000 wins in 2020 and last year with Garth Tander.
Despite claiming Supercars are “not much fun” at the moment, Van Gisbergen still puts his championship and Great Race glories about his unexpected NASCAR success.
“This is obviously pretty high,” he said.
“Supercars is my dream and winning that championship and races like Bathurst still top the list.
“But to come and do this is obviously one of the most special victories ever having so many people like my dad and a few other family come over.
“I do not know where it ranks yet. It is still sinking in.”
Shane van Gisbergen suits up to jump into the Trackhouse Racing Camaro.
During his stay in Chicago, Van Gisbergen has not been afraid to state how much he fancies racing full time in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The Kiwi even went as far as saying “I’m doing one more year in ‘OZ’ then I would love to come over here” in victory lane immediately after his success.
Post race Van Gisbergen expanded more, stating how much he missed the American racing life and once again opened the possibility of making a similar move to Marcos Ambrose and Scott McLaughlin.
Shane van Gisbergen has made it clear he still loves Supercars. Image: EDGE Photography
However, he made it clear his passion for Supercars is still very much alive and will commit to his contract with Triple Eight next year, which could be his ninth and last at the successful squad.
“I miss racing in the States. I have done Daytona four or five times now and just the way the American people are and how they go racing is so much more enjoyable,” Van Gisbergen said.
“Everyone here has made me feel comfortable and it’s enjoyable the way the races are run.
“I am committed next year to Supercars. I still love Supercars and hope it goes well there, but in 2025, who knows.”
With a famous win under his belt and sponsors already desperate to have him back, there has never been more momentum to pull Van Gisbergen from Supercars to NASCAR full time and it may be too irresistible.
But no matter what happens in the future, Van Gisbergen has every right to sing ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ for the rest of his life.
Main photo by Rusty Jarrett / NKP / LAT Images
For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
Auto Action, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport.
PODCAST: The latest episode of the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast is out now!
The GIZ is fastest in NASCAR, qualifies in 3rd! Latest update from the streets of Chicago.
Bruce Williams has a chat with Andrew Clarke who is on the ground in Chicago for Shane van Gisbergen’s so far stunning #NASCAR debut.
Listen on your podcast app of choice or here on the Auto Action RevLimiter podcast.
Recent Stories
array (
0 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 660,
'name' => 'International',
'slug' => 'international',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 660,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 2871,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 660,
'category_count' => 2871,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'International',
'category_nicename' => 'international',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
1 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 11,
'name' => 'Latest News',
'slug' => 'latest-news',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 11,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 16550,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 11,
'category_count' => 16550,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'Latest News',
'category_nicename' => 'latest-news',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
2 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 38,
'name' => 'Supercars',
'slug' => 'supercars',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 38,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 5531,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 38,
'category_count' => 5531,
'category_description' => 'The Supercars Championship, currently known as the Repco Supercars Championship, is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia\'s biggest sports. It originated from the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC), which held its first race in 1960 at Gnoo-Blas in Orange, New South Wales. The ATCC evolved over the years, and in 1997, it was rebranded as the V8 Supercars Championship, eventually becoming the Supercars Championship we know today.
Some of the leading drivers in the history of the Supercars Championship include Peter Brock, who is often referred to as the "King of the Mountain" for his nine victories at the Bathurst 1000, a race that is considered one of the biggest in the series. Other notable drivers include Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Jamie Whincup, who holds the record for the most championship titles, and Mark Skaife, who has also been a dominant force in the series.
The Bathurst 1000, held at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is arguably the most famous race in the Supercars calendar. Other significant races include the Sandown 500 and the Adelaide 500, which are known for their challenging circuits and thrilling competitions.
The Supercars Championship has grown to become a globally recognized series, known for its competitive racing and passionate fan base. It continues to be a major part of Australia\'s motorsport culture, attracting top drivers and teams from around the world.',
'cat_name' => 'Supercars',
'category_nicename' => 'supercars',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
3 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2029,
'name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'slug' => 'email',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 2031,
'count' => 7108,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2029,
'category_count' => 7108,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email',
'category_nicename' => 'email',
'category_parent' => 2031,
)),
4 =>
WP_Term::__set_state(array(
'term_id' => 2031,
'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'term_group' => 0,
'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031,
'taxonomy' => 'category',
'description' => '',
'parent' => 0,
'count' => 6463,
'filter' => 'raw',
'cat_ID' => 2031,
'category_count' => 6463,
'category_description' => '',
'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds',
'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds',
'category_parent' => 0,
)),
)
