Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) has taken NASCAR by storm. After making history with a debut victory at the Chicago Street Race, the three-time Supercars champion secured an Xfinity Series ride for 2024. Now, following an impressive rookie campaign, SVG is gearing up for his first full Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing.
It hasn’t been for lack of effort from rivals, though. Richard Childress Racing (RCR) sought to counter SVG’s meteoric rise by courting his Supercars rival, Brodie Kostecki, for multiple Cup Series events in 2024. However, that deal fell through, allowing SVG to gain valuable experience in 13 Cup races this season. Determined to keep up the fight, RCR has now turned its attention to 2024 Supercars champion Will Brown.
Brown, who clinched his Supercars title after a competitive season, made his NASCAR debut earlier this year with RCR, driving the #33 Chevrolet at Sonoma Raceway. Although he finished 31st, his foray into NASCAR set the stage for potential redemption. Speaking on the Drivers’ Only podcast, the 26-year-old confirmed plans to race in NASCAR again next year, targeting two events, including the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). He’s also exploring opportunities to compete in the Chicago Street Race, either in a Cup car or Xfinity entry.
“Chicago is a race I really want to do,” Brown told Speedcafe. “It depends on car and team availability, but I’d be happy to run in Xfinity if I can’t get a Cup ride. Xfinity is still a big deal over there.” Brown’s focus on road course events like Chicago and COTA aligns with his strengths from the Supercars Series, where his expertise on technical circuits mirrors SVG’s advantage in his Chicago triumph.
For RCR, Brown is a promising contender in their quest to challenge SVG. While Brown replaced Kostecki in 2024, he raced head-to-head with both Kostecki and SVG during the 2023 Supercars season. Despite Kostecki and SVG dominating headlines with race wins, Brown delivered an impressive campaign, securing four victories across the 20-race calendar and solidifying his reputation as a competitive driver.
As Brown eyes redemption and RCR looks to close the gap on SVG and Trackhouse Racing, the 2024 NASCAR season promises to be an exciting clash of talent and strategy.
