Shane van Gisbergen, the three-time Supercars champion and rising NASCAR star, has opened up about the challenges and joys of being a professional race car driver as he prepares for his highly anticipated full-time NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2025 with Trackhouse Racing. After a successful 2024 Xfinity Series campaign with Kaulig Racing, where he notched three wins and three poles, SVG is reflecting on his journey to motorsport’s biggest stages.
“Racing: A Dream Job with Tough Realities”
In an interview with his Australian sponsor, QUAD LOCK, van Gisbergen shared heartfelt insights about his life as a racer. While acknowledging that motorsport is a “special job,” he didn’t shy away from discussing the mental and emotional challenges that come with it.
“It’s not easy, being a race car driver. It’s really fun, it’s a pretty special job, but it can be tough too,” SVG admitted. “There are periods, you see it a lot in drivers… the wave of how you’re going is pretty rough sometimes. Yeah, I had some bad times. But thankfully, recently, it’s been pretty good.”
Despite facing ups and downs throughout his career, van Gisbergen remains grateful for the opportunities he’s had, particularly as he transitions to his dream of racing full-time in NASCAR.
“Racing for Fun and Staying Grounded in NASCAR”
Entering a new chapter in NASCAR, SVG has adopted a pragmatic approach to racing, focusing on the joy of competition rather than getting caught up in the volatility of results. With NASCAR’s grueling schedule and the unpredictable nature of its races, van Gisbergen has learned to stay level-headed.
“Now I just try and race for fun. Especially in NASCAR, I try not to get too caught up in it. Like you have a bad week and then you have another race next week. So you get over it pretty quick and move on,” he explained. “Contrary to that, you have to stay grounded when you have a good one as well. Because it can be brought down to earth pretty quick too.”
“Chasing New Challenges in 2025”
After making waves in the Xfinity Series with a 12th-place finish in the championship standings, van Gisbergen is ready to tackle the premier NASCAR Cup Series. His adaptability and experience in diverse racing formats—from dominating in Supercars to competing in endurance and international events—position him as one to watch in his rookie Cup season.
SVG’s candid remarks reflect not only his deep passion for racing but also his maturity as he navigates the late stages of his motorsport career. His ability to embrace both the highs and lows of the sport will undoubtedly serve him well as he takes on NASCAR’s elite.
