Supercars Ace Shane van Gisbergen To Make NASCAR Debut In Chicago
Trackhouse Racing has introduced that their Mission 91 automotive shall be a part of the sector on the upcoming NASCAR Cup Collection avenue race in Chicago. Nonetheless, for the primary time in its 3 races, it received’t be F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen behind the wheel. As an alternative, it’ll be 3-time Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Supercars Championship, it’s primarily based in Australia and makes use of touring vehicles loaded with V8 engines. I at all times thought it looks like a lovechild between NASCAR and Components 1. Somebody who is aware of extra about it than me would in all probability inform you in any other case, however that was my take.
Anyway, van Gisbergen is the man within the Supercar Championship as of late. The New Zealander took house the title in 2016, 2021, and 2022.
“I can actually say I’ve dreamed about a possibility in NASCAR, however actually by no means thought it might develop into a actuality,” van Gisbergen stated in an announcement launched by Trackhouse Racing.
“I can’t wait to get to the States to fulfill everybody and put together for Chicago. It’s NASCAR’s first time on the streets of Chicago so in some methods everybody shall be a rookie like me, however I don’t underestimate that it’s going to be an enormous problem.”
He received’t be the primary high-profile Supercars driver to make an look stateside. A number of IndyCar race-winner Scott McLaughlin — a fellow Kiwi — made a reputation for himself in that collection earlier than switching to IndyCar.
Van Gisbergen Might Have Himself A Day On The Chicago Road Circuit
The crew appears happy with how Mission 91 has been going. Its intention from the beginning was to convey big-name drivers from different disciplines and allow them to attempt their hand within the NASCAR Cup Collection.
“We’ve been very happy with the fan response to Kimi’s participation the final two seasons,” Twam proprietor Justin Marks stated in an announcement.
“I’ll concede the American racing fan may not be as acquainted with Shane as they’re with Kimi however in the event you speak with anybody in Australia, New Zealand and that a part of the world they are going to inform you he is without doubt one of the most proficient drivers on the planet. He’s used to avenue racing in heavy vehicles and I feel everybody shall be very impressed along with his efficiency.”
Marks brings up an ideal level. Of all of the drivers within the area, van Gisbergen could be displaying up in Chicago with probably the most related expertise.
Couple that with Trackhouse’s behavior of bringing some quick vehicles to the observe each weekend (which Ross Chastain has a behavior of binning), and the Kiwi might have himself one hell of a weekend at NASCAR’s first-ever avenue race.
Observe on Twitter: @Matt_Reigle
