Tander details van Gisbergen's NASCAR 'perfect fit'

Shane van Gisbergen would be a “perfect fit” should he score a NASCAR cameo, says Garth Tander.

Van Gisbergen revealed this week that he is in early discussions over a possible NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2023.

The Supercars points leader has spoken with Trackhouse boss Justin Marks.

Marks created the Project91 programme, which is aimed at encouraging international stars to NASCAR.

It has already attracted 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen, who raced at Watkins Glen.

Provided there are no clashes with a Supercars round, van Gisbergen is keen to give NASCAR a crack.

Erebus Motorsport rival Brodie Kostecki, who has a background in NASCAR, is also in the frame for a cameo.

Kostecki recently attended the Indianapolis 500 and a NASCAR race at World Wide Technology Raceway.

The Perth-born driver once competed in what is now known as the ARCA Menards Series East.

NASCAR uses sequential gear systems like Supercars, and races at a number of road courses.

Unlike open wheel racing, drivers can get away with being taller.

That works in the favour of van Gisbergen (188cm) and Kostecki (189cm).

Should van Gisbergen indeed score a drive, Tander is confident his Bathurst co-driver would be competitive.

“It makes sense, doesn’t it,” Tander told Supercars.com of a van Gisbergen cameo.

Van Gisbergen is also keen on rallying

“When Trackhouse announced that programme, the first driver I thought about was Shane.

“He would fit that perfectly given his experience and the current similarities with the NASCAR platform.

“If he does a road course, it’s a natural fit.

“Of all the things left for him to tackle, given his size as a driver, I think NASCAR is a perfect fit.

“Hopefully it all comes together for him, it would be awesome to watch, and great for Supercars.”

Van Gisbergen has also earned praise from Marcos Ambrose, who jumped from Supercars to NASCAR in 2006.

Bathurst-winning engineer James Small, who is crew chief for 2017 NASCAR Cup champion Martin Truex Jr., also vouched for van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen raced in Le Mans in June

Series leader van Gisbergen is no stranger to extra-curricular competition.

This weekend, he will make his World Rally Championship debut on home soil in New Zealand.

Last year, he won the New Zealand Grand Prix in an open-wheeler, and also competed in Le Mans in June.

In May, van Gisbergen scored another Bathurst 12 Hour podium, and last weekend raced Triple Eight’s GT Mercedes-AMG at Sandown.

Van Gisbergen missed Triple Eight’s final pre-Bathurst test day on Wednesday, leaving Tander on his own in the #97.

However, Tander was adamant van Gisbergen won’t be behind the eight-ball come Bathurst.

“It’s mega,” Tander said of the rallying.

“I went with a ride with him on the Monday after Pukekohe.

“He’s pretty good at it, so it’ll be cool to watch him get after it this weekend.

“But let’s be honest, Shane’s not going to be any faster in Bathurst if he came to the test day.

"What will make him faster in Bathurst will be him being in a good mood, and having done something he enjoyed beforehand.

“Win, lose or draw in the rally, having that experience will give him a lot of energy.

“Once he’s done with that, it’ll be full focus on Bathurst."

Cars will hit the track at Mount Panorama for Practice 1 on Thursday October 6.

Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.