Kiwi NASCAR Road Course Ace Shane van Gisbergen Shines at COTA

The New Zealand native has become a rising star in the Cup Series, especially on road courses.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Shane van Gisbergen, a 36-year-old NASCAR driver from Auckland, New Zealand, is quickly making a name for himself on the Cup Series circuit, particularly at road course events like this weekend's race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Van Gisbergen, known as "SVG," began his racing career in New Zealand before finding success in the Supercars Championship in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in GT racing. He made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2023 and won five races in 2025, establishing himself as one of the top road course specialists in the series.

Why it matters

Van Gisbergen's rise to prominence in NASCAR is notable given his unique background as a driver from New Zealand, a country not typically associated with stock car racing. His success on road courses has made him a must-watch driver whenever the Cup Series visits those types of tracks, and his growing popularity could help expand the sport's global reach.

The details

Van Gisbergen began his racing career in New Zealand, where he won numerous titles, before finding success in the Supercars Championship in Australia and New Zealand. He then transitioned to GT racing before making his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2023. In his second full season in 2025, van Gisbergen won five races, establishing himself as one of the top road course specialists in the series. He currently drives the No. 97 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.

  • Van Gisbergen made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2023.
  • He won five races in the 2025 Cup Series season.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series is visiting Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas this weekend.

The players

Shane van Gisbergen

A 36-year-old NASCAR driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has become a rising star on the Cup Series circuit, particularly on road courses.

Jessica Dane

Van Gisbergen's wife, who is the current program manager at Corvette Racing.

Trackhouse Racing

The team for which van Gisbergen currently drives the No. 97 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

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What’s next

Van Gisbergen will look to continue his road course dominance this weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The takeaway

Shane van Gisbergen's rise to prominence in NASCAR, despite his unique background as a driver from New Zealand, has made him a must-watch driver on the Cup Series circuit, especially at road course events. His success could help expand the sport's global reach.