Trackhouse Racing is reportedly all in on bringing Shane van Gisbergen to NASCAR as a full-time driver in 2024

Trackhouse Racing is keen on Shane van Gisbergen's debut, deeming it logical if he debuts with them.

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing (Credits: NASCAR)

Trackhouse Racing is set to make waves in the NASCAR world by bringing in Shane van Gisbergen for a full-time venture starting in 2024. The Australian Supercars champion left a resounding mark with his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Chicago street circuit, achieving an extraordinary victory. This feat wasn’t achieved by anyone over six decades.

Shane van Gisbergen’s entry into the NASCAR realm was through Trackhouse’s PROJECT91 initiative. Stepping into the driver’s seat of the No. 91 Chevrolet, he inherited the role from the former Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen. This was a wild card entry orchestrated to bolster NASCAR’s and Trackhouse Racing’s global footprint. The Kiwi was offered another run in NASCAR as he is set to rejoin Trackhouse Racing for a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Rumors have swirled around the possibility of van Gisbergen’s continued collaboration with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91. And according to a report from the Sports Business Journal, Trackhouse Racing is currently in the advanced phases of negotiations with the Kiwi. The talks are centered around a comprehensive developmental agreement, indicating the possibility that van Gisbergen might not immediately embark on full-time participation.

FS Video

Interestingly, van Gisbergen has openly described NASCAR as a “bucket list” item, underscoring his genuine interest and curiosity about the discipline. This sentiment, coupled with his innate talent, has led many to believe that his journey into NASCAR is a matter of “when” rather than “if.”

Discover: Defending Cup champion Joey Logano gives his verdict on Shane van Gisbergen’s dream of a permanent switch to NASCAR

Brodie Kostecki and Shane van Gisbergen (Credits: V8 Sleuth)

Before his NASCAR leap, van Gisbergen had already established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His Supercars prowess was undeniable, with three championships under his belt, including consecutive wins in 2014, 2015, and 2016. He currently stands third in the Supercars championship behind Brodie Kostecki, yet another Supercars native set to race at the IMS.

For his first race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kostecki will drive for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in the No. 31 Chevrolet. Supercars will fund Kostecki’s NASCAR debut at IMS. Van Gisbergen is looking forward to racing against Kostecki at IMS. The fact that Supercars is supporting the debut demonstrates the Australian racing communities growing interest in NASCAR.

As reported by Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, Trackhouse Racing and Shane van Gisbergen are finalizing a deal for SVG to come to #NASCAR in 2024.

Trackhouse Racing is looking at options that includes a
wide-ranging developmental deal, suggesting that he may not compete… pic.twitter.com/1YKcl06wLA
— Next Line Racing? (@NLR_NewsPR) August 11, 2023

As the 2023 racing season unfolded, van Gisbergen was at a crossroads. While he reaffirmed his commitment to Supercars for the upcoming year, his heart was also drawn to the allure of NASCAR. While Shane van Gisbergen has delved into his NASCAR pursuits, Red Bull has not moved to support him in the U.S. for his endeavors in this new territory. It’s worth noting that Red Bull’s last involvement as a sponsor in NASCAR dates back to 2011. Currently, his sponsor for events like the one in Chicago, as well as the upcoming race in Indianapolis, is the insurance brand Enhance Health.