The current season will mark the departure of the three-time Supercars champion from the Australian series, as he seeks to pursue a new career in NASCAR.
He has already achieved success in stock car racing by winning on the streets of Chicago. He will now have his first race on an oval track in the Truck Series this Friday night, followed by his second race in the Cup Series on Sunday.
Before discussing the upcoming events, van Gisbergen shared his insights on the contrasting racing cultures of NASCAR and Supercars.
He mentioned that the weekend in Chicago brought back memories of the enjoyable and friendly atmosphere found in the paddocks of the United States, which he believes is currently missing in Supercars.
“He said we were discussing that evening after passing the qualifications in Chicago.”
My father was present and everything… and the event was incredibly enjoyable, with a fantastic atmosphere. The cars were parked in the paddock, covered by tents, and easily accessible to everyone. You could see all the belongings of every individual. It felt like entering a completely different realm.
A few years ago, I participated in the Rolex 24 race and it’s incredible how enjoyable the racing culture is in America. The atmosphere is electrifying, and when it’s time to start and focus, the intensity kicks in. However, it’s important to note that everyone here is racing with genuine passion and having a great time.
“It’s incredibly enjoyable, and we’ve been lacking that element of fun in Australia recently.”
It is not surprising that van Gisbergen is somewhat tired of Supercars, considering the conflicts he has had with both the series and his own team multiple times this year.
He has not kept it a secret that he is not a fan of the new Gen3 cars, which caused anger among top series officials during the season opener in Newcastle.
After emerging victorious in the Sunday race, Van Gisbergen expressed his dissent in a quiet manner.
The announcement of a new deal with Triple Eight caused some initial confusion as it was initially presented as a multi-year agreement. However, it was later clarified that the deal only applied to the year 2024.
In Townsville, there was increased tension within the team as van Gisbergen received instructions to allow teammate Broc Feeney to pass him towards the end of Sunday’s race.
Simultaneously, van Gisbergen explicitly stated his intention to depart from Supercars after this season, emphasizing that his decision was not influenced by any conflicts within the team. Furthermore, he expressed his commitment to actively assist in locating a suitable successor.
Van Gisbergen expressed admiration for Supercars, emphasizing his belief that the series produces highly competitive drivers who can excel in NASCAR.
Brodie Kostecki is preparing for his first NASCAR race at the Indianapolis road course this weekend, and Cam Waters from Tickford Racing is also considering a move to the United States.
Van Gisbergen mentioned that Brodie has expressed his desire to be present here, and Cam Waters, who attended a race a few months ago, also wants to join and give it a try.
“I believe he would be an ideal fit, and hopefully my performance in Chicago and our progress this weekend continues to create opportunities for individuals from New Zealand and Australia to come here and give it a try.”
Sometimes, it can be challenging to see beyond our own limited perspective, but I believe that there is an opportunity for us in this distant world. Our series is highly competitive, so with some luck, we can thrive and achieve success in this place.
Charles Bradley also contributed to the reporting of this information.
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