NASCAR's Keselowski Admits Misjudging Aussie Driver Van Gisbergen

Compares rising star to 'Happy Gilmore' as a threat to win multiple races this season.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 5:57pm

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NASCAR veteran Brad Keselowski has acknowledged that he was wrong about Australian driver Shane van Gisbergen's potential impact in the Cup Series. Keselowski, the 2012 Cup champion, initially doubted van Gisbergen's ability to succeed on ovals, but has been impressed by his strong start to the 2026 season, comparing him to the fictional golf prodigy Happy Gilmore.

Why it matters

Van Gisbergen's success could shake up the competitive landscape in NASCAR, as Keselowski believes the Australian driver has the potential to win 3-5 races this year and become a major factor in the championship battle. This represents a significant shift from Keselowski's initial skepticism about van Gisbergen's prospects.

The details

When van Gisbergen first joined the Cup Series in 2025, Keselowski was unsure about the move, believing it was more of a 'team ownership hack' by Trackhouse Racing to lock in a playoff spot. However, van Gisbergen has proven Keselowski wrong, finishing in the top 11 in 3 of the first 4 races this season and currently sitting 5th in the points standings.

  • In 2023, van Gisbergen won the Chicago Street Race, which was his first Cup Series start.
  • Trackhouse Racing promoted van Gisbergen to a full-time Cup Series driver for the 2025 season.
  • Through the first 4 races of the 2026 season, van Gisbergen has finished 11th or better 3 times.

The players

Brad Keselowski

A former NASCAR Cup Series champion (2012) and current team owner who initially doubted Shane van Gisbergen's ability to succeed in the Cup Series.

Shane van Gisbergen

An Australian driver who has made a strong start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, winning Keselowski's praise after Keselowski initially doubted his potential.

Justin Marks

The owner of Trackhouse Racing, the team that promoted van Gisbergen to a full-time Cup Series ride in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Now that 2026 has come along and he's had such a great start of the year, I feel like I was wrong. SVG is almost becoming the face of Trackhouse. He's the guy that's going to win probably three to five races this year, and I think he's their highest car in points.”

— Brad Keselowski, Former NASCAR Cup Series champion

“SVG was kind of like Happy Gilmore if he could learn how to putt. He's got this massive drive; he could get into the green. If he could just learn how to putt, which is like the ovals, this is exactly what's going through my mind.”

— Brad Keselowski, Former NASCAR Cup Series champion

What’s next

Keselowski's comments suggest that van Gisbergen's continued success on ovals could make him a major championship contender in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The takeaway

Keselowski's change of heart on van Gisbergen underscores the unpredictable nature of talent development in NASCAR, as well as the importance of not making premature judgments about a driver's potential. Van Gisbergen's early-season performance has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the Cup Series.