MOTORSPORT: van Gisbergen set for NASCAR debut

Reigning Australian Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen is heading back to the USA, with confirmation that he will campaign Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series event on the streets of Chicago on July 2.

Having found success in a variety of disciplines – including GT racing, rallying, open-wheel and drifting – van Gisbergen aims to emulate the success of another former V8 ace Marcos Ambrose, who claimed two NASCAR Cup Series race wins from his six full-time seasons.

For the one-off start, van Gisbergen has been picked up as a third entry for the leading Trackhouse squad, whose regular drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez both claimed victories on road courses last season.

The additional Project 91 machine was previously campaigned by former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, who raced at Watkins Glen last year, and earlier this season at the Circuit of the Americas.

Guiding van Gisbergen in his NASCAR debut will be crew chief Darian Grubb, who claimed the 2011 title with Tony Stewart. Over 13 seasons in the sport he has worked with luminaries such as Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards and Mark Martin.

One advantage for van Gisbergen may prove to be the Chicago street circuit, which makes its inaugural appearance this year as the first temporary layout of its type in the history of the category.

“I can honestly say I have dreamed about an opportunity in NASCAR, but really never thought it would become a reality,” said van Gisbergen.

“I can’t wait to get to the States to meet everyone and prepare for Chicago.

“It’s NASCAR’s first time on the streets of Chicago, so in some ways everyone will be a rookie like me, but I don’t underestimate that it’s going to be a huge challenge.

“There is so much I have to learn about these cars and how the races are run.

“The learning curve will be quite steep, but I am ready for everything they will throw at me.

“I know a lot of Kiwis and Aussies will be watching, and I’m honoured to get this opportunity.”

The Repco Supercars Championship continues this weekend with the Ned Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint from Symmons Plains Raceway, with van Gisbergen third in the standings 136 points behind series leader Brodie Kostecki.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au