A NASCAR legend has warned Shane van Gisbergen will have crashes bigger than he’s ever experienced when he begins racing in the United States.
After a breakout NASCAR Cup Series win on debut in Chicago, his NASCAR Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing signed van Gisbergen to compete for the team in 2024.
The Kiwi will drive for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, one rung below the top-flight Cup Series.
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It’s expected van Gisbergen will graduate in 2025 with this year’s campaign in the second division serving as a stepping stone.
Speaking after his 40-race program was revealed, the three-time Supercars champion said he’d received a warm welcome from his rivals.
However, it came with a caveat from one legend of the sport, 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick.
“It’s been really awesome. Everyone’s welcoming me to the States and if they can help in any way they’re offering, like it’s really cool,” said van Gisbergen.
“Even Kevin Harvick, he’s been a great help with just basic advice. Being comfortable in the car and just being well strapped in.
“He said I’m gonna have hits bigger than I’ve ever had before, which is not nice to hear but it’s a true fact.
“I have to be ready for that and be comfortable and safe in the car and I’m gonna have to change my feet and the way I sit in the car to be more acclimatised and safe on the ovals.
“That’s just part of it and making sure that the seat is the same in the Xfinity car so I can swap between one and the other and be comfortable in the same driving position.
“Just the little stuff like that I don’t normally think about. Those guys have been helpful and everyone I have talked to has been awesome.”
Van Gisbergen’s debut win put NASCAR on notice.
His return a few months later came with high expectations that he may repeat the feat.
However, illness curtained his run on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course where he finished 10th.
His first competitive oval outing in the third-tier Truck Series saw him come home 19th.
After such a strong start, the Kiwi is trying to keep a lid on expectations ahead of his first full season in 2024.
“I’m trying not to have expectations. I wanna have my preparation as good as possible, but results-wise, I have no idea what we’re gonna achieve,” van Gisbergen explained.
“Obviously I want to get some top 10s and represent WeatherTech (his naming-rights sponsor) well and have some fun.
“I really don’t know what it’s going to be like. For sure, there’s going to be a lot of learning and a lot of hard times in the ovals, but hopefully just through the year it moves up, I get better, I know what’s coming, and then second time through the track we can be competitive.”