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In the last two years, Shane van Gisbergen has stood out as one of the important competitors in the NASCAR Cup Series. His victory in Chicago in 2023, which seemed like a fluke at the time, now looks like the start of a career that is seriously developing. This former Supercars Championship driver from Australia is slowly but surely winning over American tracks and fans.
He recently triumphed again in Chicago, which earned him an invitation to appear on Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour. There, he openly talked about how his life took a different turn after that first big win in Illinois. He expressed how close NASCAR is to his heart.
"Things changed very quickly after Chicago," this driver recalled. "Two months before the Chicago race, I was still in Australia and signed a contract to stay for another year. But then I came here and had fun like never before. It was something new and refreshing for me.
"In Australia it didn't quite go the way I wanted, especially with the new car. I was just ready for a change. As Justin Marks explained the plan to me - a year of learning, then jumping into the NASCAR Cup - it all came at the right time. This is the best decision I've made in my career."
Differences between NASCAR and Supercars
Of course, NASCAR and Supercars in Australia and New Zealand are two different worlds, although they have similarities. Shane revealed what challenges him most about change.
"The intensity is higher because he rides almost every week and every time is a different challenge," he explained. “It’s not like you’re driving the same type of mile-and-a-half track every time. Every weekend is a different type of track, and the preparation is completely different. Instead of just looking at two teammates’ data, now I have access to everyone’s data. That adds to the pressure.
“On the road tracks, I don’t really like it because everyone can see my data and that’s the focus of the weekend. But when you get to places like Pocono or Martinsville, you study guys like Denny Hamlin, who’s great there, or Chase Elliott at Martinsville. There are drivers who really dominate. But when you get to a track like Vegas, it could be anyone. There’s so much to keep track of now.”
All in all, NASCAR has got a real fighter in Shane van Gisbergen, who has raised the quality of road track driving. He has another chance to win at Sonoma this weekend. It remains to be seen if he takes it.
English (US) ·