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The American legend helping van Gisbergen

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 6 March 2025

Shane van Gisbergen has revealed that Kevin Harvick, in addition to Marcos Ambrose, has been a source of support as he prepares for the next NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix.

Harvick is a handy source of advice given he won the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series title, 2007 Daytona 500 and all up 60 wins from 826 races.

Van Gisbergen revealed he has been working with the former driver, now commentator as the Kiwi tackles his rookie NASCAR Cup Series.

Having also made the jump from Supercars to NASCAR, Ambrose has been a natural contact for the last few years to assist with the transition.

But in addition to the SBR legend, van Gisbergen has turned to Harvick as he hopes to take a greater step forward in mastering the unique ovals.

“I learn from everyone. I study as much as I can and I’ve had some good teachers,” van Gisbergen said pre Phoenix. 

Kevin Harvick Atlanta Richard Childress Racing

Kevin Harvick celebrates his emotional maiden Cup success for Richard Childress Racing in front of the #3 at Atlanta in 2001. Image: Fox Sports

“I had Marcos Ambrose a lot last year and Kevin Harvick and I talk with Kevin this year whenever I need him. 

“There is nothing like this type of racing anywhere in the world on ovals. Every week, even Atlanta a couple of weekends ago, I was learning something every lap. “You just have to keep your eyes open and keep learning and trying to evolve. 

“It’s easy to forget these guys have done that type of racing since they were kids. “There are some guys that I’m two seconds a lap quicker than around a road course, but on an oval, they are unbelievable.”

This weekend van Gisbergen heads to Phoenix, a short track he has never raced a Cup car at before.

However, he does have experience in the Xfinity series and finished well on both occasions being sixth and 12th.

The Trackhouse Racing driver comes to the Arizona tri-oval after his best result of the year, sixth, at COTA, but believing more was possible after struggling in the restarts.

The Shriners Children’s 500 begins at 6.30 AEDT on Monday, March 10.

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