The Rise of a NASCAR Contender: Van Gisbergen's Journey
Imagine a driver, a 'deer in the headlights' at the start of the NASCAR season, yet by the end, he's claimed an impressive five road course victories, second only to Denny Hamlin. This is the story of Shane van Gisbergen, a Trackhouse Racing star who's making his mark.
Van Gisbergen's 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season was a rollercoaster. At the end-of-season awards, he reflected, "It was a blast. I loved racing this year and building that connection with the team. The second half was a real turning point; we improved significantly, and it showed.
"I feel like we've got some great momentum going into next year. The #88 car team is mostly unchanged, which is awesome. I'd love to start all over again, but I've learned so much, and I get that chance in just 15 weeks!"
But here's where it gets controversial... Van Gisbergen, despite his success, has always maintained that stock cars are a whole new ball game compared to what he's used to. "I started at a low level, completely overwhelmed. But now, I feel like I've come a long way."
And this is the part most people miss... His breakthrough win in Mexico City, the 16th race of the season, was a game-changer. "It felt like two different seasons. The first half was all about learning, but Mexico was the turning point. Winning that first race gave us the confidence and momentum we needed."
Van Gisbergen's expertise on road courses is well-known, making him the favorite whenever the series takes a right turn. But his goal is to feel just as confident on ovals. "I had no pressure on the road courses because I knew we'd be good. It's a great feeling. I hope one day I can feel that way on an oval too."
"Going back to tracks for the second or third time, things start to make sense. You know what to expect, and that's a huge advantage. Places like Gateway and Bristol were still nerve-wracking, though."
So, what's next for van Gisbergen? He's expected to head back to New Zealand for the summer, and his off-season racing plans are still up in the air. Will he commit to sprint car racing? Only time will tell.
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