Van Gisbergen to race NASCAR Cup Series in 2025
Shane van Gisbergen will join Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez as NASCAR Cup Series drivers with Trackhouse Racing next year.
The Justin Marks led team has brought one of the four charters up for sale with the closure Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of this season, and the three-time Supercars champion has secured the election to the top level via this charter.
Van Gisbergen on the strength of his road course ability would likely be a Playoffs contender immediately, and with his oval track form improving with each outing he is regarded as a title prospect in 2025.
He follows in the footsteps of Marcos Ambrose, who raced NASCAR Cup Series from 2008-2014 and will race a #88 Chevrolet, fittingly a number famous at his former Supercars squad Triple Eight.
Both Trackhouse drivers are inside the Playoffs at the moment, but Chastain is 16th and leads Bubba Wallace by only two playoff points.
Where it all began – Shane van Gisbergen ruled the streets of Chicago on NASCAR Cup Series debut.
He would also be knocked out if any driver not already qualified wins any of the next five races before the Playoffs start in Kansas City on 29 September.
Following a successful Supercars career, Van Gisbergen moved to the States earlier this year to run a full NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing while remaining a Trackhouse driver, and has won three times on road courses and is improving his performance on the ovals.
He leads the Xfinity Playoffs with three wins in his rookie season, and his third place finish at Atlanta is his best oval track result this season.
According to our sources, he has met all the goals set for him this year and his popularity presents a tantalising sponsorship prospect for next year.
Shane van Gisbergen leads the NASCAR Cup Series field at Talladega. Photo by LAT Images)
It is a dream come true for the Kiwi.
“This is what I have planned for and I am ready,” said the 35-year-old Auckland, New Zealand native.
“I know there is a tough learning curve ahead, but the best way to learn is to go out and do it.
“I feel I have made progress running the Xfinity Series this year with Kaulig Racing and I can’t thank everyone there enough. I look forward to the Cup Series.
“Those drivers and teams are the best in the world and it will be an honor to be part of their races.”
It is also a special moment for Trackhouse as it expands.
“This is a big day in so many ways for Trackhouse Racing, Shane, Chevrolet and race fans around the world,” said Trackhouse Racing founder and owner Justin Marks.
“This is an important step for our organization and it’s a credit to the men and women at Trackhouse Racing whose hard work and success the last few years has led to us expanding to three Cup teams in 2025.
“It’s also a big step up for Shane who took a chance on Trackhouse Racing, moved here from New Zealand and now joins the most competitive stock car racing series in the world.
“Everyone will get to watch one of the world’s racing superstars compete in the NASCAR Cup Series next year.
“Shane is the type of driver we had in mind when we created PROJECT91.
“He took advantage of his opportunity and that experience in Chicago launched a whole new chapter in an already successful story.”
Van Gisbergen is doing both the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series at Daytona this weekend.
2024 NASCAR PLAYOFF STANDINGS
POS NO. DRIVER MFR +/-
1 5 Kyle Larson Chevrolet Clinched via race win×4
2 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota Clinched via race win×3
3 20 Christopher Bell Toyota Clinched via race win×3
4 45 Tyler Reddick Toyota Clinched via race win×2
5 24 William Byron Chevrolet Clinched via race win×3
6 12 Ryan Blaney Ford Clinched via race win×2
7 9 Chase Elliott Chevrolet Clinched via race win
8 6 Brad Keselowski Ford Clinched via race win
9 2 Austin Cindric Ford Clinched via race win
10 22 Joey Logano Ford Clinched via race win
11 99 Daniel Suárez Chevrolet Clinched via race win
12 19 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota +77
13 48 Alex Bowman Chevrolet Clinched via race win
14 54 Ty Gibbs Toyota +39
15 17 Chris Buescher Ford +16
16 1 Ross Chastain Chevrolet +1
Photo by Nigel Kinrade / NKP / LAT Images
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