Why Does Shane Van Gisbergen Hate Racing in the Rain?

Shane van Gisbergen comes clean on his resentment towards racing in rainy conditions despite his first NASCAR win coming during a similar weather.

Why Does Shane Van Gisbergen Hate Racing in the Rain?

Shane van Gisbergen (via NASCAR)

Shane van Gisbergen quickly established himself as one of NASCAR’s top talents with a stunning debut victory on the Chicago Street course in 2023. The significance of that win was amplified by it coming on a road course. The Trackhouse Racing star recently revealed his dislike towards racing in wet conditions, as there was uncertainty looming over the weather conditions at the Mexico City circuit.

Shane van Gisbergen’s debut in Chicago was filled with chaos from start until the very end. Unpredictable weather conditions and the street circuit of Chicago being run around for the first time created the perfect storm, providing the Trackhouse star with the chance to shine and take a stunning win in his very first race. Ahead of the inaugural race in Mexico City, Gisbergen had a sense of familiarity in what lies ahead.

NASCAR raced around the Autodromo Hermano Rodríguez circuit for the first time in the Cup Series. The weather in and around the circuit was expected to remain cloudy with a great chance of rain midway through the race. SVG admitted ahead of the race just how much he despises racing in the rain despite being exceptional at it. these factors players a significant role in him went onto winning the race, marking his second win in the elite divison.

The 36-year-old asserted that he would rather not race around a rain-laden circuit in Mexico if he had the choice. However, Shane van Gisbergen accepts that even if it starts pouring, Trackhouse would immediately put on the wet tires and get back to racing. Moreover, SVG hates the fact that the stock cars run on bare minimum grip during torrential conditions which puts the race in an utter chaos mode.

I absolutely hate racing in the rain, but I’m good at it. I’d rather it didn’t rain, but if it happens, we put the wets on and go. I just don’t enjoy it. It’s just never fun. You’re always sliding around, and it just turns stuff into chaos. It’s fun to watch, but I don’t really enjoy driving.

Shane van Gisbergen said, as reported by motorsport.com.

Shane van Gisbergen predicted wet Mexico circuit would be like ‘driving on ice’

The Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez circuit has been run around by multiple notable motorsport categories as NASCAR heads there for the first time. Shane van Gisbergen believes that the grip conditions and racing experience would be completely new as the teams and drivers take a leap into the unknown. Still, he remains optimistic of his chances to succeed in the inaugural Mexico City race alongside Trackhouse Racing.

Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City (via Imagn)
Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City (via Imagn)

Shane van Gisbergen pointed out that it will be very hard to predict what the cars would drive like at the different track. From some clips and videos of NASCAR Mexico cars being driven around, Gisbergen reckons that the grip would be like driving on ice. The No.88 driver also predicted that the racing would be interesting to witness as the sport is now taking big strides in expanding their horizons.

It’s so hard to know what the car’s going to be like, it’s a different track, how it’s going to be affected by the altitude and the surface, Watching those NASCAR Mexico cars drive around, they look like they’re driving on ice. It’s going to be interesting to feel what our cars are like in these conditions.

Shane van Gisbergen noted.

The three times Supercars champion continued his impressive road course form, proving when the car is fast there is only a handful of drivers that can match him in the Cup garage on road courses. There is three more road course races coming in the next four weeks and SVG will be a key factor in all those events.

Read More: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Exposes the Massive Pressure on Daniel Suarez Shoulders at Mexico City