Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, made history last July by winning a Cup race in his debut at the Chicago Street Race. This victory convinced the 34-year-old driver from New Zealand to switch permanently to NASCAR this season. Now, he’s competing in a full Xfinity schedule and some Cup races with Kaulig Racing.
In the Xfinity series, van Gisbergen has shown promise with a third-place finish at Atlanta and sixth at Phoenix. He’s currently 15th in the standings, still in contention for the playoffs. Despite his limited experience on oval tracks, he’s determined to achieve more, especially as he eyes a full-time move to the Cup series in 2025.
Reflecting on his season so far, van Gisbergen admitted it’s been challenging but enjoyable. He highlighted the tough stretch of races at Dover, Texas, and Darlington, where he’s competing this weekend. Despite the difficulties, he remains optimistic about his progress.
One positive aspect for van Gisbergen has been his consistency in finishing races. While he hasn’t been among the front-runners, he’s completed every lap in nine out of his 10 Xfinity races this season. Looking ahead, he aims to improve his results and performance, especially on ovals.
Van Gisbergen emphasized the importance of achieving better results, including making the Xfinity playoffs, as it could accelerate his transition to the Cup series. While winning a race would secure his playoff spot, he’s also focused on accumulating points to qualify.
He expressed his competitive nature and desire to excel in both road courses and oval tracks. Despite not setting specific goals, his main focus is on continuous learning and improvement to secure a seat in the Cup series next year.
