SHANE van Gisbergen will look to back up his Chicago heroics when he makes a second NASCAR Cup Series start next month.
Having been wowed by the Kiwi’s instant success, Trackhouse Racing has added to the program of its Project 91 arm to enter the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on August 13.
That will see two Supercars drivers on the grid at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – not to mention IndyCar convert Scott McLaughlin who’ll race the day before at the same location.
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Van Gisbergen will go head-to-head in the Cup Series with Supercars title rival Brodie Kostecki, whose top-tier debut was announced this week.
Both will drive a Chevrolet Camaro, although Kostecki’s will be fielded by Richard Childress Racing.
Heightening the event’s international star power will be the presence of ex-Formula 1 drivers Jenson Button (Rick Ware Racing) and Kamui Kobayashi (23XI Racing).
For van Gisbergen, it’s a tantalising prospect given the impression he made earlier this month.
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The 34-year-old was fastest in practice at Chicago – his first competitive session in the car – qualified third and charged from 18th to victory in the back half of the race, triggering all sorts of reactions of amazement from the American series’ regulars.
It’s now considered almost a formality that he’ll switch full-time to NASCAR as soon as next year.
But while Kostecki’s August entry at Indianapolis had long been rumoured, SVG’s was less expected.
“I never dreamed this could have all rolled out this way,” van Gisbergen said of his latest opportunity.
“Just getting to race in NASCAR is an opportunity I never thought I would get, but then to win and get another chance this year is beyond anything I imagined.
“I can’t thank Justin Marks, everyone at Trackhouse Racing and NASCAR (enough) for this opportunity.
“Everyone in NASCAR welcomed me to Chicago and it’s been awesome to see how big the reception from that race has been around the world. I am honoured to be part of it.”
Unlike the streets of Chicago, the Indy road course is not totally new to NASCAR, making for little more catch-up to be played for wildcard drivers.
The Verizon 200 at the Brickyard is the only remaining non-oval Cup Series race which does not clash with the Repco Supercars Championship calendar.
Just as van Gisbergen experienced with his Chicago/Townsville turnaround, he and Kostecki will have merely days to switch from NASCAR to Supercars mode after Indianapolis given their August 18-20 race meeting at The Bend Motorsport Park.
