Dirt racing and the Chili Bowl have turned out as the preferred choices among NASCAR drivers in the off-season. So far, the two-time champ Kyle Larson and debutant Kyle Busch have announced their entry for the historic midget racing event. The list can see more additions of NASCAR drivers, given that Joe Gibbs Racing has lifted a ban on their drivers from competing in dirt races.

Well, there’s also a possibility that 2025 rookie driver Shane van Gisbergen could also join this list. SVG is a versatile race car driver who enjoys sprint car racing during his off-season. Well, he is expected to head to his homeland for an extensive sprint car racing schedule that could see him line up against Kyle Larson.

Shane van Gisbergen could be trading blows against Kyle Larson in the sprint car

The Xfinity Series race in the streets of Chicago delivered fans some thrilling road racing action. The two drivers, Larson and SVG, who were on the top of their game, fought tooth and nail against each other. Kyle Larson wasn’t intimidated by SVG’s road racing prowess and clinched the race. The Kiwi speedster acknowledged his racecraft, and there was healthy competition between the two.

Well, SVG will have plenty of opportunities to get his payback on the HMS star during his rookie run with Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series. But, there’s a possibility he can do that on the dirt track or in the High Limit race provided he tweaks his sprint car race schedule for the end of 2024. Now we all know Kyle Larson is heading to Australia, Perth, to compete in the Kubota High Limit international race from 28 to 30 December. And the Kiwi driver has somewhat of a similar schedule.

While SVG is scheduled to drive at the Western Springs on Boxing Day, i.e. 26th December. However, if he wants to go up against the Hendrick Motorsports driver in his race, he might have to drop the race from his schedule because of the grueling travel plans.

Following this, SVG will get back behind the wheels of Annette and Brian Theobald’s United Truck Parts #97 Sprint car for seven races. This schedule concludes on January 4, ahead of the start of the Chili Bowl Nationals, and this does allow dirt races to head to the event labeled as the “Super Bowl” of midget car racing. Although Shane van Gisbergen hasn’t added more races to his schedule, a sprint car race down south could be on his radar.

Now, it’s tough to see SVG hop inside of the midget car for the Chili Bowl Nationals. While he raced in midgets before making history in the Supercars championship, he’s more inclined towards competing in the sprint cars, and he stated the reason for this change in preference.

SVG might not consider competing at the Chili Bowl Nationals

Midget cars, as their name suggests, are small in size and shape. SVG, who is over 6 feet, knows he will have a hard time getting the components of the car made to his size. We all saw Kyle Busch struggling to get inside of a midget car in a video he posted online. Not only that, but the Kiwi Speedster also has some other safety concerns about piloting a midget car.

“I felt safe in a sprint car, I felt in control of the car. You have that cushion on the roof whereas in a midget, you’re on the edge the whole time and about to have a huge crash. It’s an awesome feeling, but a bad one as well,” SVG told this to Speedcafe. Despite his hesitation, fans wanted him to at least give a try at the iconic midget race.

So there’s still a glimmer of hope that SVG just might race at the Chili Bowl. But, even if he doesn’t turn up, the event is expected to see a long list of Cup drivers attempting to clinch the crown at the SageNet Center. The likes of Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe might announce their entry given that they are now free to race on dirt.