For Shane van gisbergen, the city of chicago represents a unique intersection of triumph and personal paradox. It was here, at the inaugural street race in July 2023, that the New Zealand racer, largely unknown to American stock car fans, etched his name into NASCAR history. His stunning debut victory didn’t just win a race; it fundamentally reshaped his career, setting him on an unforeseen path in the world’s premier stock car series. As van Gisbergen returns to the demanding Chicago Street Course for the 2025 event, now a full-time Cup Series competitor with a recent win and playoff spot secured, the track remains a “cool and special place,” even if the urban environment doesn’t quite align with his rural roots.
The Moment That Altered a Career
Shane van Gisbergen arrived in Chicago in 2023 as a celebrated three-time champion in the Australian Supercars series. His entry into the NASCAR Cup Series race through Trackhouse Racing’s innovative Project91 program was seen as a fascinating experiment. Nobody predicted the outcome. In treacherous wet conditions that arguably played to his road racing strengths, van Gisbergen piloted his stock car to a dominant victory.
This wasn’t just any win; it was a historic achievement. He became the first driver in nearly 60 years to win in his NASCAR Cup Series debut, a feat last accomplished by Johnny Rutherford in 1963. The global racing community took notice. Van Gisbergen himself reflected on the magnitude of that day, calling it the best win of his life and admitting he was fully immersed in the moment. Just over two months later, Trackhouse Racing announced they had signed him to a developmental deal, paving his way for a full-time transition to the United States. Leaving behind an incredible Supercars career, released graciously by his former team Triple Eight Race Engineering, he made the 180-degree change that brought him to NASCAR permanently.
A Complex Relationship with the Windy City
While the Chicago Street Course holds immense significance for van Gisbergen’s career, his personal feelings about the city itself are, by his own candid admission, mixed. He describes it as a “love-hate” relationship. He acknowledges the track and the memories created there are “pretty cool” whenever he returns. However, known for his straightforward style, he’s stated he generally dislikes cities, preferring open spaces. “Yeah, not enough grass for me,” he quipped, referencing his rural New Zealand upbringing. Despite his urban ambivalence, he readily admits the place “changed my life” and holds “special memories” of the track forever.
Adapting to the NASCAR World
The transition from Australian Supercars to full-time NASCAR competition has been a significant learning curve for van Gisbergen, despite his impressive start. In 2024, he competed full-time in the Xfinity Series, securing three wins, and also ran 12 additional Cup races. Now, in 2025, he’s contesting the full Cup Series schedule in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse.
Adapting to the Next Gen car has presented challenges. While the car draws some comparisons to sports cars and Supercars, van Gisbergen highlights key differences. The weight is drastically different. The way the car corners changes due to downforce being applied over the top rather than underneath, making the Next Gen car low and stiff compared to the higher, rolling Supercars. He notes they look similar on paper but are “way, way different.” The weight and the tires remain the biggest adjustments. When asked about potentially combining characteristics, he offered a blunt assessment of the current Australian Supercar, humorously calling it a “piece of s—” and admitting that was a reason he left, preferring the “awesome” old Supercars. He doesn’t miss the Supercars now.
His rookie Cup season hasn’t been without its ups and downs, particularly on oval tracks, which represent a vastly different discipline from his background. Yet, he embraces the challenge, finding enjoyment in the continuous learning process. Improving in some areas while still needing to develop in others keeps him excited. He acknowledges being at the bottom of the pecking order is a stark contrast to his dominance in Supercars, but he finds the process of learning and improving every week refreshing.
The Challenging Chicago Street Course
The Chicago Street Course itself is a formidable challenge, one van Gisbergen is uniquely equipped to tackle but also respects deeply. The 2.2-mile, 12-turn layout sends cars speeding down major city streets like Michigan Avenue, across bridges, and past landmarks like Buckingham Fountain. While street racing is his forte, he points out the inherent difficulties and dangers.
A critical issue is the lack of runoff areas, particularly where Turns 1 and 5 face each other. “It’s dangerous,” he stated plainly. “You’re in the fastest part of the track, and there’s a concrete wall in front of you.” This creates a high “risk versus reward” scenario, which he finds “one of the coolest things” but acknowledges is difficult when mistakes happen. The track is also known for being narrow, bumpy, and featuring transitions between concrete and asphalt surfaces, along with potential hazards like manhole covers. Previous years have seen rain play a factor, adding another layer of complexity. Despite the dangers, he praised NASCAR for executing their “first go” at a street track very well. Reigning Cup champion Joey Logano admitted that on road courses like this, the rest of the field is “in a way, playing catch-up” to van Gisbergen’s experience.
Momentum and Playoff Strategy in 2025
Van Gisbergen returns to Chicago in 2025 with significant momentum. Last month, he secured his second career Cup Series win at the historic first international points-paying race in Mexico City. That victory, achieved despite overcoming travel issues and battling illness on race day, automatically locked him into the NASCAR playoffs. Dominating the race in wet conditions, similar to his Chicago debut, he won by a remarkable 16.567 seconds over Christopher Bell.
This playoff spot changes his approach to upcoming races, including Chicago. While he’s a favorite and aiming for another strong finish, having already qualified allows for strategic flexibility. He can now prioritize gaining a valuable playoff point during a stage, even if it means temporarily sacrificing track position, something he might not risk if still needing to win to get into the postseason. His recent pole position in Chicago, a blistering 88.338 mph lap that was the only one under 90 seconds, further underscores his comfort and speed on this specific layout. Starting from the front row, alongside Michael McDowell, gives him an immediate advantage, contrasting with issues faced by others like Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman who will start at the rear due to practice incidents. Even practice leader Bubba Wallace spun in qualifying.
Competing in both the Xfinity Series (driving the JR Motorsports No. 9) and the Cup Series race this weekend, van Gisbergen has multiple opportunities to add to his Chicago legacy. Following Chicago, the schedule features other road courses like Sonoma and Watkins Glen, providing further chances for the road racing ace to shine as he navigates his full-time rookie season and prepares for the playoffs. Every week presents a “new challenge,” from varying track types to car development, keeping the racing fun and refreshing for him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Chicago Street Race circuit particularly challenging for NASCAR drivers?
The Chicago Street Course is notoriously difficult due to its urban environment. It’s a narrow, bumpy 2.2-mile, 12-turn layout with significant surface changes between concrete and asphalt, plus manhole covers. A major challenge is the limited run-off areas, especially where corners face each other, increasing the danger and the penalty for mistakes. Shane van Gisbergen describes it as having a concrete wall right in front of you at the fastest parts, creating high risk versus reward. Rain can also be a factor, adding another layer of complexity.
How did Shane van Gisbergen’s 2023 Chicago win impact his NASCAR career?
Shane van Gisbergen’s surprise victory in the inaugural 2023 Chicago Street Race was transformative. It was his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series start, and he became the first driver in 60 years to win their debut race. This historic performance immediately brought him into the NASCAR spotlight and directly led to him signing a developmental deal with Trackhouse Racing just two months later. This paved the way for him to leave his successful Australian Supercars career behind and move to the U.S. to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024 and the Cup Series in 2025.
What are Shane van Gisbergen’s prospects for the 2025 Chicago race after winning the pole?
Winning the pole position for the 2025 Chicago race puts Shane van Gisbergen in a strong starting position on a track where he has previously won in both the Cup and Xfinity series. His recent victory in Mexico City not only secured his second Cup win but also guaranteed him a spot in the playoffs, allowing him more strategic freedom, such as focusing on winning stages for playoff points. As a renowned road and street course expert, Chicago is considered a “bonus” event where he is expected to perform well. His comfort level and the pole position make him a strong favorite to contend for another win.
Conclusion
Shane van Gisbergen’s return to the Chicago Street Course is more than just another race weekend; it’s a homecoming to the site that launched his NASCAR dream into reality. The historic 2023 victory remains the pivotal moment that changed his life and career trajectory. While the full-time transition has presented challenges, particularly on ovals, his recent Mexico City win and pole in Chicago underscore his continued dominance on road and street circuits. As he navigates his rookie Cup season with a playoff berth secured, van Gisbergen represents a unique talent adapting to a new world, finding enjoyment in the constant learning, and always being a threat on tracks that reward his unique skillset, starting with the very streets where it all began.
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