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Van Gisbergen reveals NASCAR talks

26 Sep 2022
Supercars ace eyes NASCAR cameo
3 mins by James Pavey

Supercars points leader Shane van Gisbergen is in talks for a NASCAR cameo in 2023.

The Red Bull Ampol Racing driver has long made Supercars his priority.

However, van Gisbergen has sought out extra-curricular cameos should he have free weekends.

Already this year, van Gisbergen has travelled to France to make his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut.

He is currently in his native New Zealand readying for his World Rally Championship debut.

Earlier this year, he scored a podium on his Australian Rally Championship debut.

Most recently, van Gisbergen raced in Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS in a Mercedes-AMG at Sandown.

Van Gisbergen podiumed on his ARC debut

Van Gisbergen told Wide World of Sports that he has spoken with TrackHouse Racing boss Justin Marks about a potential drive.

Marks began the Project91 initiative to draw high-profile international stars to NASCAR.

It has already paid dividends, with 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Räikkönen racing at Watkins Glen.

Should there be no clashes with a Supercars event, van Gisbergen could try his hand Stateside.

The 2023 NASCAR Cup schedule features five road-course races, as well as the street-course race in Chicago (July 2).

The other road courses are Austin (March 26), Sonoma (June 11), Watkins Glen (August 13), Indianapolis (August 20) and Charlotte Roval (October 8).

Austin is between the Newcastle and Albert Park events, and Chicago would likely be a week before Townsville.

The Charlotte race will clash with the 2023 Bathurst 1000.

“It all depends on our calendar," van Gisbergen said.

Van Gisbergen made his Le Mans debut in June

"Our calendar comes out so late these days, so I just need to wait and see what our calendar does.

"But yeah, I would love to do it.

"We did speak, but it's all dependent on our calendar and what races I can do.

“And if there's time to get over there and back without upsetting Supercars.”

Raikkonen, who also took to WRC between F1 stints, ran in the top 10 before crashing.

NASCAR runs a number of road courses, with Marcos Ambrose taking his Supercars skills Stateside.

Ambrose recently told V8 Sleuth that van Gisbergen would make a splash in NASCAR.

Van Gisbergen, who will aim to clinch a third Supercars title next weekend, was buoyed by Raikkonen’s performance.

"I'd love to do a road course and have a go, for sure,” van Gisbergen said.

“It's just getting the right opportunity.

"Obviously, they've got great equipment – the TrackHouse cars and team have been going really well.

"I'd love to have a go. It was cool watching Kimi do it as well.”

Van Gisbergen will make his WRC debut in his home event, Repco Rally New Zealand, this weekend.

The 72-time Supercars race winner will aim for a second Bathurst victory next weekend.

Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.

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