Shane van Gisbergen has said it was a 'no-brainer' to sign a contract extension with Trackhouse Racing to remain in the Cup Series for the foreseeable future, despite never having intended to forge a NASCAR career.
Trackhouse formally announced that they had signed a new, multi-year agreement with van Gisbergen each other ahead of the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen back in August, with the Kiwi going on to win the race in upstate New York that weekend.
Van Gisbergen utterly dominated on road courses in 2025, with six race victories all coming away from the more traditional oval format. However, in that regard, towards the end of the season, the Kiwi improved massively, meaning he could be a real threat, regardless of layout, in the future.
But all of this was not planned. As van Gisbergen himself revealed when speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio earlier this season.
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SVG had 'no intention' to make NASCAR switch
The Kiwi's first NASCAR outing was at the Chicago Street Race in 2023, which he went on to win in stunning fashion. But, according to the Kiwi, he never had any intention of coming over to the States to race permanently.
"When I did that Chicago race, I had no intention of coming over here. And yeah, obviously it went very well," he told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio earlier this season.
“Then I came back and I did the truck race at IRP [Indianapolis Raceway Park] and then the Cup race at Indianapolis [Road Course], and Justin [Trackhouse Racing team owner] faithfully offered it to me, wanted me to come over and have a go.
“And I enjoyed that weekend so much. I was really sick, I remember, for the Cup race, but I really loved the truck race at IRP and just how fun it was. I didn’t run very well, I think I got 15th or 16th (19th) but it was so much fun.
“I was at a point where I was ready to try something else, and I am so glad I did it."
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Contract extension 'no brainer'
Van Gisbergen went on to add that whilst the switch of careers has not been easy, he has no regrets, and that he didn't have to think twice when Justin Marks came calling with a contract extension.
“It's hard moving across the other side of the world and starting a career again at a pretty old age, I guess, for doing that," Van Gisbergen explained. "But thankfully, as a race car driver, we’ve got a pretty long shelf life.
“It’s been awesome, I’ve loved every moment and loved the challenge, so [I was] happy when Justin offered to extend.
"It was a bit of a no-brainer. I can see myself here for a lot more years to come.”
