missed his probability to shine earlier at COTA, however he would possibly lastly be heading in the direction of a race win this season. The one distinction? It may be in a Truck and never in his Cup automobile.
In an influence transfer from the group, the street course skilled will probably be taking his expertise to the Truck Sequence with Niece Motorsports at Watkins Glen Worldwide. That is nearly as good as it may well get for Niece Motorsports, who will be nearly sure of a win over there, contemplating the street course goldmine they’ve struck in SVG.
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“I’m actually excited to have the chance to race for Niece Motorsports at Watkins Glen,” he stated. “Glad to be again at one in all my favourite tracks. Hopefully we have now crack at it. Because of Niece Motorsports, Circle B Diecast, DQS, J.F. Electrical, Chevrolet and Trackhouse for giving me the chance. It’s going to be loads of enjoyable.”
, which is sponsored by Circle B Motorsports Auctions, DQS Options & Staffing, and J.F. Electrical. Together with him, his teammate Ross Chastain may even drive for Niece of their NCTS program.
This gained’t be the primary time that Shane van Gisbergen experiences the rougher aspect of NASCAR within the Truck Sequence. Again in 2023, he raced for Niece Motorsports on the Indianapolis Raceway Park, ending nineteenth. Nevertheless, heading all the way down to the street course subsequent, he has a significantly better probability of successful.
His years of expertise racing within the Supercars Championship make him the street course skilled of the NASCAR area. All of his race wins have come on street programs thus far, and he continues to get pleasure from that benefit. Nevertheless, due to the general efficiency that Trackhouse Racing and Chevrolet have delivered this yr, he missed his probability to win at COTA, ending behind , who has been benefiting from his Toyota domination this season.
However the Truck Sequence could possibly be an fascinating area for him to expertise, merely due to the brand new form of problem it is going to present him. Whereas there will probably be many with extra expertise than him, it’s robust to say if anybody will handle to outperform him on the street course. That is additionally one thing that Niece Motorsports made a word of.
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“Shane’s means on street programs made him a transparent precedence for our group at Watkins Glen,” Cody Efaw, group President and CEO stated. “Once we realized Shane had curiosity in working Truck Sequence races, it felt like a pure match. Our fab and physique store have put in an amazing quantity of labor constructing new street course vans, and we’re assured in what we’re bringing to the monitor.”
Though van Gisbergen has spent ample time racing within the Cup Sequence, it’s fairly obvious that he continues to search out it arduous to adapt to the general drivability and the racing side of ovals. He has been glorious at street programs, however for the extra pure NASCAR races, he has a unique opinion.
Shane van Gisbergen needed to begin another time
That is Shane van Gisbergen’s second consecutive full-time season within the Cup Sequence. His efficiency with Trackhouse Racing has been fantastic, contemplating the truth that he’s nonetheless attempting to grasp his racing on the ovals, however has been always bringing race wins on the street programs.
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However one thing modified this season. Chevrolet got here up with a physique modification of the ZL1, and whereas their efficiency has taken a success in comparison with the Toyota, which is dominating, it has been even tougher for Van Gisbergen.
“I really feel like I’m studying every part once more. Like, I went to Nashville the opposite week, and the automobiles drive nothing comparable. So, I really feel like I’m a whole rookie altogether,” .
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Daytona 500 Media Day Feb 11, 2026 Daytona Seashore, Florida, USA NASCAR Cup Sequence driver Shane Van Gisbergen 97 speaks to the media in the course of the Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Daytona Seashore Daytona Worldwide Speedway Florida USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexDinovox 20260211_mcd_ad4_51
Other than a number of races, Shane van Gisbergen has managed to carry out very properly, even on ovals. He completed sixth in Atlanta and adopted with high 20 finishes at Phoenix, Darlington, and Martinsville. He appeared to be the winner at COTA, street programs being his forte, however as talked about, Reddick had far an excessive amount of tempo. The #97 driver needed to accept a 2nd-place end.
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However as he claims, his efficiency is starting to enhance, and within the coming races, he may be again to claiming wins on street programs. There’s additionally the opportunity of him successful two races at Watkins Glen on the identical weekend, as he prepares to run the Truck race with Niece Motorsports, too. However for that to occur, Trackhouse should adapt to the Chevy physique by then.
