| Car Number | #97 |
| Team | Trackhouse Racing |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Born | May 9, 1989 - Auckland, New Zealand |
| Age | 36 |
2026 Season Stats
Career Stats
Biography
Shane van Gisbergen is the most successful international driver to cross over to NASCAR in decades, bringing credentials from Australian Supercars that rival any champion in the history of that series. The three-time Supercars champion from Auckland, New Zealand, made one of the most stunning debuts in NASCAR history when he won the Chicago street race in his very first Cup start in 2023. That victory immediately announced him as more than just a novelty - he was a genuine threat.
Van Gisbergen's Supercars career was nothing short of legendary. With 71 race wins, three championships (2016, 2021, 2022), and four Bathurst 1000 victories, he is one of the most decorated tin-top racers in the world. His decision to leave that success behind and pursue a new challenge in America was a bold move that has captivated fans on both sides of the Pacific. Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks identified SVG as the perfect fit for his globally-minded team.
After spending 2024 in the Xfinity Series to learn the NASCAR craft - where he won four races and showed rapid improvement on ovals - van Gisbergen graduated to a full-time Cup ride in 2025 with the No. 97 Chevrolet. His adaptation from the high-downforce, high-braking Supercars to the low-grip, power-sliding nature of stock cars has been remarkably smooth. His road course abilities are obviously world-class, but his improvement on ovals has been equally impressive.
At 36, van Gisbergen brings a maturity and racecraft that comes from hundreds of races at the highest level in Australia. His tire management skills, honed through Supercars' endurance races, translate well to NASCAR's long green flag runs. As he continues to develop his oval racing, the scary thought for the competition is that he may not have reached his ceiling yet in stock cars. His 2026 season, sitting ninth in points, suggests he is getting closer to championship contention with each passing race.
Interesting Facts
- Won his very first Cup Series race at the Chicago street course in 2023
- Three-time Australian Supercars champion with 71 career wins in that series
- Four-time Bathurst 1000 winner - Australia's most prestigious motorsport event
- From Auckland, New Zealand - one of very few Kiwis to race full-time in NASCAR
- Spent 2024 in the Xfinity Series learning ovals before his full Cup promotion
- Known as "SVG" and is a massive fan favorite in both the US and Australasia