Van Gisbergen scores NASCAR oval debut

Shane van Gisbergen will dovetail his second NASCAR Cup Series start with a Truck Series debut, which will also be his NASCAR oval debut.

The Supercars champion will line up for his second Cup Series start with Trackhouse Racing and its Project91 entry on August 13 at the Indianapolis road course.

The Kiwi has since secured a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Niece Motorsports, which will come at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Van Gisbergen will drive the #41 Niece Motorsports Truck on Friday August 11, and the #91 Project91 Camaro on Sunday August 13.

The 34-year-old isn’t the only Supercars driver to tackle the Cup Series Stateside, with Brodie Kostecki to race a third Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

The oval debut comes amid recent revelations that van Gisbergen is eyeing a move to NASCAR as early as 2024.

“The weekend will certainly be a challenge,” said van Gisbergen said.

Van Gisbergen won at the Chicago street course last month

“I’ve seen the trucks race on television and know it’s very competitive and that I’ll have a lot to learn on a short track at IRP.

"I’m used to doing doubleheaders in Supercars, but this will be a little bit different. I’m honored to join Niece Motorsports and thrilled at getting a chance to climb in a truck.”

Van Gisbergen will carry Worldwide Express backing on his #41 Chevrolet Truck, with Enhance Health and Quad Lock — which will again back his #91 Cup car — to support.

“We are so excited and so honoured to have Shane drive for us at IRP,” Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw said.

“He’s a legend in Australia and New Zealand, but what he did at Chicago has everyone in America talking about his talent.

"We will help him experience oval racing and I am guessing we will learn a lot from him as well.”

Van Gisbergen will be on track on all three days of the Indy weekend, with his Truck practice, qualifying and race to be held on the Friday.

He will practice and qualify his Cup car on the Saturday, with the race to be held on Sunday.

Van Gisbergen and Kostecki will return to Australia after the weekend for the OTR SuperSprint on August 18-20.