Van Gisbergen ready for big Texas shot

Shane van Gisbergen has had his moments already, but this weekend he has a big chance to make an impact in his rookie NASCAR Cup Series season.

The third race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series will be the first road corse of the year as the stock cars take on the home of the United States Grand Prix, Circuit of the Americas.

The NASCARs will race around COTA’s National course, which trims the F1 circuit in half, turning left just before Turn 7 and rejoining at the final quarter of the back straight. It is slightly longer than the one Supercars used in its one-off trip in 2013.

Van Gisbergen arrives in Texas after showing a lot of promise in Atlanta.

The #88 Trackhouse Racing rookie even led at stages and looked set to challenge the top 10, only to get caught up in a last-lap wreck that restricted him to 23rd.

But now being on a road course, SVG is expected to use his Supercars skills to challenge for victory, which could secure a Playoffs berth.

Shane van Gisbergen was unlucky not to win a thrilling NASCAR Xfinity Series race at COTA last year. Photo by Nigel Kinrade / NKP / LAT Images

The Kiwi took part in the COTA Cup Series race last year held on the full circuit, but battled a hearing issue and a penalty which forced him to settle for 21st as Will Byron won.

Looking ahead to the return race, van Gisbergen is excited to race on the new shorter course.

“I think the new course will be okay,” he said. 

“I did like the long track, but I see why they (NASCAR) shortened it, to give more times past the fans and more action. 

“The cut through they have done, we don’t lose any passing spots, more laps as well. I think the shorter track is probably a good thing.

“I like the track and I think it’s pretty cool. The change they have done is really good, with the second extension or cut through. 

“The one we did in Supercars would be terrible in these (Cup) cars, so they made a good call there. 

“There will probably be a bit of action, I think, with the tight left hander. 

“It’s odd how we spend more time off the track than on it, but that’s how it is here, and it looks pretty cool when the cars are all battling.”

Shane van Gisbergen at COTA. Photo by Nigel Kinrade / NKP / LAT Images

Van Gisbergen has made 11 road course starts between the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, winning four times  but know battling the best is different gravy to the second tier as he wants to be known for more than just a right-turn specialist.

“The guys here are just so talented,” van Gisbergen said of the Cup drivers. 

“When you race every week, you’re going to to get so good at it. I just see the prep and the level here, it’s just so high.

“I just want to be someone who you think of an oval like that. 

“I really want to get better at ovals and every week be a contender, not just five times a year.”

The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix will begin at the fan-friendly time of 7.30 AEDT Monday morning.

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