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Shane van Gisbergen coming to America and NASCAR in 2024, that much we already knew.
The New Zealander confirmed as much in July, just weeks after winning his first ever start in the series for Trackhouse Racing.
But for who and in what capacity was yet to be determined.
Now it appears we have our answer.
Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reports that Trackhouse Racing, which worked to bring the V8 Supercars star to the US in the first place, is working on a deal to bring him to the team full-time in 2024.
What’s notable, however, is that Stern does not state that van Gisbergen will drive in the NASCAR Cup Series full-time. In fact, it sounds like the 34-year-old could drive in the Cup, Truck and Xfinity Series’ as he works to get his feet wet in a new country and new types of vehicles.
“Van Gisbergen’s exact plans still have yet to be announced,” Stern wrote. “But a source told SBJ that Trackhouse is in the final stages of negotiations with van Gisbergen on a wide-ranging developmental deal, suggesting that he may not compete in the premier Cup Series full time right away.”
Van Gisbergen follows is the footsteps of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose, a Tasmania native, won V8 Supercars championships in 2003 and 2004 before coming to NASCAR full-time in 2006.
“Trackhouse has explored the possibility of buying or leasing a charter to run him full time, but it is unclear how those efforts have turned out,” Stern states. “Nonetheless, the deal fulfills one of Trackhouse’s goals to bring an international star to NASCAR racing full time, and the move is sure to boost the sport and the team’s fanbase in Australia and New Zealand.”
Ambrose drove in the Truck Series in 2006, the Xfinity (then Nationwide) Series in 2007 and 2008, and moved to the Cup Series in 2009.
The h0pe for Trackhouse is that Van Gisbergen could fast track that transition. Similarities between current NASCAR Cup Series cars and V8 Supercars could help ease the transition.
Van Gisbergen is set to drive in his second Cup Series race this weekend at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.