Van Gisbergen addresses future after Whincup comments

Shane van Gisbergen says he remains committed to Supercars for 2024 after team boss Jamie Whincup suggested he could leave early for NASCAR.

Van Gisbergen made worldwide headlines after winning on debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in Chicago last weekend.

The 34-year-old raced Trackhouse Racing’s Project91 entry, which is an effective wildcard targeted at international drivers.

The Red Bull Ampol Supercars star became the first driver in 60 years to win on his Cup Series debut.

It fuelled speculation van Gisbergen could head Stateside in 2025, but Whincup said this week that they wouldn’t stand in his way should a 2024 deal present itself.

Speaking to media ahead of this weekend’s NTI Townsville 500, van Gisbergen reiterated he will race in Supercars in 2024.

“My phone’s been running hot but I don’t have any proper offers yet, obviously,” said van Gisbergen, who signed a new deal with Triple Eight earlier this year.

'My phone’s been running hot but I don’t have any proper offers yet'

“I really want to keep going and try some more stuff and, as I said, I’m committed to here next year but obviously I’ve read Jamie’s comments, which are interesting.

“I haven’t spoken to Jamie yet, though.”

Van Gisbergen became the first New Zealander to win in NASCAR, and the second Supercars champion after Marcos Ambrose to win.

His attention quickly shifts to Townsville, where his 10 wins are only second to Whincup’s 12.

The Chicago and Townsville streets are a far cry to ovals — something that wasn’t lost on the driver himself.

“The oval is a completely different world,” said van Gisbergen, who will make his 500th Supercar race start this weekend in Townsvile.

“I have no illusion that I’d go there and run up the front — that would take a long time.

“Obviously, you want to try, but having six to eight road courses in the coming years, that’s appealing.”

Supercars will hit the track in Townsville on Friday for Practice 1 at 10:10am local time.