A full Xfinity Series programme and at least seven NASCAR Cup Series races will make up Shane van Gisbergen’s maiden season in the US next year.
The recently departed three-time Repco Supercars Championship and Bathurst 1000 race winner was confirmed to be racing in the US earlier this year after a stunning victory for Trackhouse Racing on the streets of Chicago.
Having signed with the team led by former racer Justin Marks and counts one of its investors as rapper Pitbull, van Gisbergen will contest a fill Xfinity Series campaign in a Chevrolet run by Kaulig Racing as van Gisbergen’s trademark #97 moves across, with backing from automotive accessories, home and pet care manufacturer, WeatherTech.
Clashes will prevent van Gisbergen returning for the Repco Supercars Championship enduros in 2024 as the seven NASCAR Cup starts the New Zealand ace will undertake begin at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, followed by Talladega on April 21, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26 and a return to Chicago in July.
Watkins Glen then follows on September 15, then a second trip to Talladega in October before rounding out his guest spots at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 20.
Pumped by the opportunity, van Gisbergen is eager to get started in NASCAR full-time.
“After winning in Chicago, I could not stop thinking about racing full time in NASCAR,” he revealed.
“I am still stunned how quickly this has all come together.
“I must thank the NASCAR industry and fans for embracing me and allowing me to chase this dream. I respeoc every driver who has put in the work to make it to the Cup Series, and I am ready to put in that same effort.
“I am anxious to get started.”
Marks and Trackhouse Racing have won multiple races in the Cup Series, but will guide van Gisbergen through his first full-time US campaign.
“We know Shane will be incredibly competitive at the road course events in both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, but we wanted to get him as much experience on NASCAR ovals as possible, so I am really excited about his 2024 schedule,” Marks said.
“Kaulig Racing has a history of winning in the Xfinity Series and as a fellow Chevrolet team, we are thankful Matt Kaulig and Chis Rice see the potential in Shane that we see.
“The anticipation for this season is palpable.”
Kaulig Racing has enjoyed sustained success since joining Xfinity in 2016 led by 23 race wins, four of those this season in addition to two Cup Series triumphs the last being AJ Allmendinger on the Charlotte Roval in October.
“We started our talks with Trackhouse about the possibility of putting SVG in a Xfinity car for a few races quite some time ago, and from there the talks evolved to discussions about how much it would cost to run a full-season,” President of Kaulig Racing, Chris Rice explained.
“Once we knew we had an open seat next season, it became the perfect scenario to put him in the car.
“We partner with Trackhouse’s pit crew department, and with their key support from Chevrolet, it made teaming up an easy decision.”
Van Gisbergen will join Allmendinger and Josh Williams at Kaulig Racing.