Shane van Gisbergen’s meteoric rise in motorsport has taken a dramatic turn, with the three-time Supercar champion making his bold move to NASCAR. After stunning the racing world with his remarkable debut victory at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, Gisbergen has left an indelible mark on the NASCAR Cup Series.
With a full-time seat awaiting him in 2025 with Trackhouse Racing in the iconic No. 88 car, the anticipation surrounding his NASCAR journey continues to grow. But behind this daring leap from Australia to America lies an interesting revelation from his former boss, Roland Dane, who shed light on the reasons behind this monumental shift.
In an exclusive interview, Roland Dane shared his candid perspective on why Gisbergen made the decision to leave his homeland and pursue a career in NASCAR. According to Dane, the key to understanding this move lies in the fact that Gisbergen had simply “outgrown Australia.” Having dominated the Australian Supercars series and raced internationally, Gisbergen felt confined by the limitations of competing in a single country.
In Dane’s words, “He’d raced around the world, and coming back to Australia to do the same thing again didn’t inspire him anymore.” The allure of global competition, the prospect of testing himself in new environments, and the chance to drive in one of the world’s most prestigious motorsport series were simply too compelling for Gisbergen to ignore.
While Gisbergen’s move to NASCAR may appear to be a bold departure, it’s far from unprecedented. Australian drivers have a history of venturing into NASCAR, and Dane noted that this path has been traveled before. Legends like Marcus Ambrose and Dick Johnson made similar transitions to the American scene, finding success and challenges along the way.
For Gisbergen, the switch represents an evolution in his career. His victory at the Chicago Street Race with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program in 2023 proved he could compete at the highest level of NASCAR, and his success only fueled his desire to make a permanent move.
However, this transition hasn’t come without its challenges. Adjusting to a new country, a new racing culture, and the intense competition of the NASCAR Cup Series has pushed Gisbergen to his limits. Yet, he remains resolute, acknowledging the difficulties while expressing his excitement about the future. In his own words, “It’s pretty brutal racing every week, but it’s awesome.”
Gisbergen’s journey to NASCAR is not just a career shift; it is the next chapter in a distinguished racing career that includes victories in the Bathurst 1000 and a successful stint in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series will mark a new milestone in his journey, as he drives for Trackhouse Racing full-time, further cementing his place in global motorsport.
As Gisbergen’s future in NASCAR unfolds, his former boss Roland Dane’s insights into the motivations behind his move offer a rare glimpse into the mindset of a driver at the peak of his powers. For fans of both Australian motorsport and NASCAR, Gisbergen’s career transition is a story worth watching, as it may set the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.
