Justin Marks spills the beans on Shane van Gisbergen’s 2024 NASCAR plans

Shane van Gisbergen had one of the greatest NASCAR debut making him a real deal for Trackhouse Racing's 2024 prospects.

Justin Marks and Shane van Gisbergen (Via IMAGO)

New Zealand’s Supercars sensation, Shane van Gisbergen, is all set to embark on a thrilling journey into American stock car racing. Spearheading this endeavor is Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks. In a recent interview, Marks provided a peek into the tailored blueprint for van Gisbergen’s 2024 schedule.

Van Gisbergen’s dream to conquer American stock car racing took root following his triumphant NASCAR debut on the streets of Chicago. Fueled to pursue broader racing categories, he now stands at the precipice of making this bold transition a permanent fixture in his illustrious career. Shane’s Supercars home, Triple Eight, have relinquished their contract prematurely to let the Kiwi pursue his overseas dreams. He recently inked a NASCAR development deal with Trackhouse Racing.

The strategy is as comprehensive as it is strategic, encompassing all three tiers of NASCAR’s national series: the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series. Speaking to Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, Marks revealed, “What we’re looking at for 2024 is a number of Cup races, Xfinity, some truck, some ARCA, some late model racing.” Van Gisbergen’s approach offers diverse experiences in American stock car racing.

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.@JustinMarksTH details what @shanevg97's #NASCAR schedule could look like next season ⬇️

?️ "We're all kind of waiting on the schedules for next year […] but I'm confident in telling you that he's going to be a major presence in the Xfinity Series next year." pic.twitter.com/f9ZbanI1en
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 14, 2023

Marks emphasized, “We have an opportunity to curate a year of development for him. If there’s an opportunity for him to be a Cup driver in 2025, we need to make sure that 2024 prepares for that.” The overarching goal is to craft a versatile driver proficient in navigating the nuances of oval-track racing, superspeedways, and 1.5-mile tracks—a trio of disciplines vital for success in NASCAR. Van Gisbergen’s racing history primarily focuses on road courses, making ovals challenging.

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Justin Marks and Shane van Gisbergen (Credits: Speedcafe.com)

Acknowledging the learning curve inherent in this transition, both Marks and van Gisbergen radiate confidence in the Kiwi driver’s ability to adapt and excel in this demanding environment. His stellar NASCAR debut, coupled with subsequent starts in the Cup and Truck Series, serve as a compelling testament to his boundless potential.

Delving into the intricacies of van Gisbergen’s 2024 schedule, Marks reveals intriguing details. He discloses, “We’re probably almost a 95-yard line with that. We think we’ve got a really great program pulled together.” The final touches are being implemented, with the schedule set to be unveiled in the next few weeks.

Off to ?? next year. Huge opportunity for me and so thankful to @JustinMarksTH and the @TeamTrackhouse family for giving me a shot in NASCAR. Can’t wait to get over there ? pic.twitter.com/Q08csXQNBg
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) September 14, 2023

Marks affirms, “I’m confident in telling you that he’s going to be a major presence in the Xfinity Series next year.” This is complemented by a lineup of captivating Cup races, augmented by grassroots endeavors such as late-model racing and dirt track excursions—a holistic approach to driver development.