The winningest foreign-born driver in NASCAR Cup Series history is not going anywhere. Shane van Gisbergen has landed a multi-year contract extension.
Trackhouse Racing announced the news on Friday afternoon while van Gisbergen prepared for his return to Watkins Glen International. The team confirmed that he will continue to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet while pursuing more road course wins and gaining experience on the oval tracks.
"I feel like Trackhouse Racing is my home," Gisbergen said in a press release. "Trackhouse gave me the opportunity to race at Chicago in 2023.
"That was just a one-race deal, and everything that has happened since then is because of the chance Justin (Marks, Trackhouse founder and owner) took on me. The men and women at Trackhouse have helped me feel at home in this new challenge, and I've been loving every minute of it. We still have a lot of work to do, but I couldn't be happier."
Photo credit: Getty images
Van Gisbergen made his NASCAR debut during the 2023 season. He joined the Project91 program, which Marks created to bring international drivers to the Cup Series. The three-time Supercars champion won his Cup Series debut on the streets of Chicago and set up a full-time move to NASCAR.
Van Gisbergen spent last season with Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, and he won three races. He also made limited starts in the Cup Series, which included a runner-up finish at Watkins Glen International.
This season marked van Gisbergen's full-time move to the Cup Series. He punched his ticket to the playoffs with a win in Mexico City and then he added victories in Chicago and Sonoma. Van Gisbergen also returned to the Xfinity Series, where he won on the streets of Chicago.
Van Gisbergen's rookie season is not yet complete, but he has already put his plans in place for the future. He will continue to compete in NASCAR after signing this multi-year deal, and he will remain the favorite at numerous tracks in the coming seasons.
"We are getting to watch one of the superstars of racing," Marks said. "What we are asking him to do carries a high degree of difficulty.
"He's moved to the other side of the world, learned a new form of racing and at times dominated the competition. He's one of the greatest."