Brutal Tony Stewart’s Long-Lost Crew Chief Gives Away Crucial Insight Saving Shane Van Gisbergen From “Desperation” & Other Challenging NASCAR Aspects

Tony Stewart’s former crew chief, Darian Grubb, turned Stewart’s mediocre 2011 season into a Cup Series Championship win. But shortly after the amazing feat, Grubb was fired from Stewart-Haas Racing. Bouncing around Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports for a few years, Darian Grubb settled in at Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. With Chip Ganassi selling his Cup Series team to Trackhouse Racing, Grubb stuck around, taking over the crew chief role for the Project 91 team, aside from his duties as a Director of Performance.

With Shane Van Gisbergen giving the legendary crew chief a chance to celebrate at Chicago’s Victory Lane, Darian Grubb recently spoke on the preparation that went into the Kiwi’s NASCAR debut run. 

“He Studied Every Piece”: Darian Grubb Details Shane Van Gisbergen’s Debut Preparation

Winning the Supercars Championship titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022, Shane Van Gisbergen is no stranger to street racing. As a majority of Supercars races are run on street circuits, Van Gisbergen was in his element at his NASCAR Chicago debut. Although he was comfortable racing on street circuits, the different dynamics of NASCAR demanded a lot of race preparation from the Kiwi.

With a lot of catching up to do on the rules, penalties, restarts, and even the temperament of fellow drivers, Shane Van Gisbergen quickly got to work. Assisted by the legendary Darian Grubb and the #91 team throughout his preparations, Van Gisbergen went on to dominate NASCAR veterans in their own sport. 

Appearing on the NASCAR Live podcast, Darian Grubb was asked how well versed was Shane Van Gisbergen regarding the NASCAR rules and if he needed to be coached over the headset. “He was well versed. We had done a lot of preparation work ever since last Friday, even up to two months ago; sending him the rule book, sending him some videos; these are previous penalties, these are previous restarts, things like that. He is a student. He studied every piece that we gave him, he was ready,” replied Grubb.

Adding what situations Van Gisbergen was warned to look out for, the #91 Trackhouse Racing crew chief said, “There was a few things we confirmed, just so he knew the situation. He doesn’t know how Justin Haley is in a do-or-die situation to make the playoffs and needs the wins. Those are the type details we gave him just so he knew that the possible desperation move could be there, and he was able to just drive away. Did an incredible job on the restart and just amazing laps all around.”

Watch This Story: How Shane Van Gisbergen’s Chicago Victory Became An Embarrassing Nightmare For Cup Drivers?

In addition to his racing prowess, the support and guidance Shane Van Gisbergen received from Tony Stewart’s former crew chief propelled the Kiwi to become the first driver to bag the first NASCAR debutant victory in 60 years.

“That’s What You Dream Of”: Shane Van Gisbergen Speaks on His Victory

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Restarting from the 18th position post NASCAR’s announcement to shorten the Grant Park 220 by 25 laps, Shane Van Gisbergen’s first-place finish was a welcome surprise. Displaying his Supercars championship-worthy talent, the Kiwi quickly got to work, overtaking driver after driver. As Justin Haley and Chase Elliott aimed for a title win to make it to the playoffs, Van Gisbergen overtook Haley at Turn 2, snatching the lead. With less than five laps remaining, Trackhouse Racing’s #91 driver defended his lead, ultimately driving down Chicago’s Victory Lane.

When questioned by NBC’s media personnel at Victory Lane, whether the Kiwi had imagined he would win, an ecstatic Shane Van Gisbergen said, “No, of course not! But you always dream of it. And thank you so much to the Trackhouse team and Hans Health Project 91. Man, what an experience! And the crowd out here, like this was so cool and that’s what you dream of! So hopefully I can come and do more!”

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Committed to the Supercar Series for the 2024 season, Shane Van Gisbergen said he is open to a full-time Cup Series venture come 2025.