Supercars 2023: Shane van Gisbergen to race NASCAR again fuelling permanent shift rumours
Shane van Gisbergen is heading back to the US for his second NASCAR start next month, fuelling speculation that he will make a permanent switch in 2024.
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Defending Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen will return to race in NASCAR again in Indianapolis next month, adding more momentum to the prospect of a full-time switch to the category in the United States.
Just two days after Erebus Motorsport’s series challenger Brodie Kostecki was confirmed to make his Cup Series debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 13, it was revealed van Gisbergen would join him after he locked in a second NASCAR start.
Van Gisbergen became the talk of the motorsport world when he won in his NASCAR Cup series debut in the inaugural Chicago street race earlier this month, stunning his US rivals and commentators alike.
The Triple Eight star will again take the wheel of the Project91’s Chevrolet Camaro for the Trackhouse Racing team, while Kostecki will debut with Richard Childress Racing.
Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR return only adds more fuel to speculation of a full-time switch to racing in the US.
The triple Supercars champion said he was thrilled to get the chance to return.
“I never dreamed this could have all rolled out this way,” van Gisbergen said.
“Just getting to race in NASCAR is an opportunity I never thought I would get, but then to win and get another chance this year is beyond anything I imagined.
“I can’t thank (Trackhouse founder and owner) Justin Marks, everyone at Trackhouse Racing and NASCAR (enough) for this opportunity.
“Everyone in NASCAR welcomed me to Chicago and it’s been awesome to see how big the reception from that race has been around the world. I am honoured to be a part of it.”
Van Gisbergen became the first driver in 60 years to win on Cup Series debut after his epic overtime victory in Chicago.
The two-time Bathurst 1000 champion is contracted to Triple Eight until the end of next year and said before the previous Supercars round in Townsville he remained “committed to here next year”.
Triple Eight team boss Jamie Whincup has said he would “not stand in the way” if the New Zealand ace wanted an early release from his deal if he landed a full-time opportunity in the US next year.
Van Gisbergen currently sits fourth in the Supercars championship standings behind Erebus pair Will Brown and Kostecki and his Triple Eight teammate Broc Feeney.
But the 34-year-old has been unhappy with steering issues plaguing his Camaro at the past two rounds in Darwin and Townsville.
He will head to the US to race in between the Sydney and Tailem Bend rounds in Supercars.
Marks said he thought about bringing van Gisbergen back to race as soon as he took the chequered flag in Chicago.
“After a performance like that it’s only natural to want to keep this going,” Marks said.
“Shane showed he is a world-class talent and what he did in Chicago was truly remarkable.
“Project91, Trackhouse Racing and the fans of NASCAR benefit by bringing him back. I don’t think I am being overly dramatic when I say the entire motorsports world will be watching the No.92 Chevrolet at Indianapolis.”
Second Supercars star to make NASCAR Cup Series debut
Supercars title challenger Brodie Kostecki will follow the lead of series champion Shane van Gisbergen and make his NASCAR Cup series debut in the United States next month.
Just weeks after van Gisbergen stunned the motorsport world when he won on debut in the inaugural NASCAR Chicago street race, Kostecki was confirmed as the second Supercars driver to secure a race start in the Cup Series in as many months.
The Erebus Motorsport star will make a cameo for Richard Childress Racing in the Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 13.
Kostecki will head to Charlotte after the upcoming Supercars round at Sydney Motorsport Park to prepare for his Cup debut before racing in Indianapolis.
The 25-year-old’s NASCAR opportunity comes as he sits second in the Supercars title standings, seven points behind his Erebus teammate Will Brown.
Kostecki, who will race in the RCR No. 33 Camaro, said racing in NASCAR had been a lifelong goal of his and he was determined to make the most of his chance in the US.
“I am thrilled to be making my NASCAR Cup debut at the Brickyard,” Kostecki said.
“It’s an honour to compete at such an iconic venue and against some of the biggest names in motorsport.
“I’m incredibly grateful to RCR for giving me this opportunity and I’m determined to make the most of it.
“Racing is at the core of everything I do, and NASCAR has been a lifelong goal of mine after spending years growing up in the sports heartland in North Carolina.”
Excited to be announcing my @NASCAR Cup debut at Indy on August 13th. Thanks to Richard and everyone at @RCRracing for giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity 🤘 pic.twitter.com/zhFbVIEhEB
— Brodie Kostecki (@BrodieKostecki) July 17, 2023
“It’s a whole different world over there and any additional time I can spend racing is only going to help me try and win my first Supercars Championship.
“We got some great exposure to the inner sanctum of the team during our recent trip, and I cannot wait to immerse myself in the team, this time as a Cup Series driver.”
While van Gisbergen’s stunning debut victory in Chicago generated plenty of headlines and spotlight on Supercars drivers, Kostecki’s management has been in talks with RCR about a cameo since April.
Kostecki and Brown, along with Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore, visited the team’s camp in the US last month.
His Cup debut will come at the only time each year when IndyCar and NASCAR combine their series at one racetrack.
Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan said he had always encouraged Kostecki to “race as much as he can”.
“We have always encouraged Brodie’s pursuit of more racing opportunities,” Ryan said.
“Providing him with the chance to explore and excel in various racing disciplines not only enhances his skills but also contributes to the overall growth and success of our team.”
Kostecki has won two races in this year’s Supercars championship.
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