In just over a week Australian Supercars Championship driver Shane van Gisbergen will make his NASCAR debut at the Chicago Street Course.
Trackhouse Racing will place van Gisbergen in their Project 91 entry, an opportunity the 34-year-old has dreamed about.
“I can honestly say I have dreamed about an opportunity in NASCAR, but really never thought it would become a reality,” van Gisbergen, a New Zealand native, said in a team release. “I can’t wait to get to the States to meet everyone and prepare for Chicago. It’s NASCAR’s first time on the streets of Chicago, so in some ways, everyone will be a rookie like me, but I don’t underestimate that it’s going to be a huge challenge.”
New lid ready for racing in Chicago with @THProject91 🇺🇸😀 pic.twitter.com/qaVOMHGWK9
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) June 19, 2023
On the resume of van Gisbergen is three Supercars championships (2016, 2021 and 2022) and a victory in Australia’s grueling Bathurst 1000.
“I’ll concede the American racing fan might not be as familiar with Shane as they are with Kimi, but if you talk with anyone in Australia, New Zealand and that part of the world, they will tell you he is one of the most talented drivers on the planet,” Marks said. “He’s used to street racing in heavy cars, and I think everyone will be very impressed with his performance.”
Off to 🇺🇸 to get started with @THProject91 👍 pic.twitter.com/Q2fGFiDMBb
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) June 22, 2023
