van Gisbergen secures full-time NASCAR Cup ride

Shane van Gisbergen's promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025 has been confirmed, with the Kiwi set to drive for Trackhouse Racing in 2025.

Trackhouse will be an expanded three-car operation for 2025, snapping up a charter from former Cup Series champion Tony Stewart's team Stewart-Haas Racing, which will close at season's end.

The news continues a remarkable rise through the NASCAR ranks for the Kiwi, who claimed a memorable debut victory with Trackhouse at the Chicago Street Race last year.

That set off a chain of events that would see the 35-year-old move over to America to contest a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign with Trackhouse affiliate Kaulig Racing.

Van Gisbergen has starred in his debut season in NASCAR, winning at Portland, Sonoma, and Chicago to lock away his spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs.

He has also run a part-time Cup Series schedule this year with Kaulig, with a best finish of 20th at the Circuit of the Americas.

The Kiwi will join established Cup Series stars Ross Chastain and Daniel Suárez in Trackhouse's expanded line up, and will sport an iconic number.

Van Gisbergen will run the #88 next year, a number that has been run by Cup Series legends Dale Earnhardt Jr., Darrell Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, and Donnie Allison.

Van Gisbergen says that he will be fully prepared to make his full-time debut at next year's Daytona 500, being entered in another seven Cup Series races with Kaulig this season.

“This is what I have planned for and I am ready,” said van Gisbergen.

"I know there is a tough learning curve ahead, but the best way to learn is to go out and do it. I feel I have made progress running the Xfinity Series this year with Kaulig Racing and I can't thank everyone there enough.

Trackhouse Racing founder and owner Justin Marks, himself a former NASCAR driver, is eager to provide van Gisbergen the best opportunity to showcase his talent next year.

"This is a big day in so many ways for Trackhouse Racing, Shane, Chevrolet, and race fans around the world," said Marks.

"This is an important step for our organisation and it's a credit to the men and women at Trackhouse Racing whose hard work and success the last few years has led to us expanding to three Cup rides for 2025.

"It's also a big step for Shane who took a chance on Trackhouse Racing, moved here from New Zealand and now joins the most competitive stock car racing series in the world.

"Everyone will get to watch one of the world's racing superstars compete in the NASCAR Cup Series next year."

Van Gisbergen is about to make his first Cup Series start at Daytona as of the time of publication, starting 32nd in the #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.