Overall, the 2024 season was a step forward in Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey. With 3 Xfinity Series wins, and a Playoff run in his rookie year, it should be clear that the 2023 Chicago Street Race victory was not an accident. And Kaulig Racing reaped all the benefits of said doubt in question. Regardless, it looks like he’s passed the litmus test. 2025 will be a big year for the Kiwi speedster, now that the #88 ride at Trackhouse awaits his advances for a full-time Cup Series season. At 36, SVG might be the most experienced rookie in the field when the Daytona 500 rolls around to kick off the festivities in February.

But his value goes way beyond just experience. With an entire year spent around the garages of a fellow Chevy team like Kaulig, SVG has the perfect primer for what’s coming—and you better believe he’s bringing some insider knowledge to Trackhouse.

Kaulig Racing waves goodbye to a game-changer

Jumping headfirst into the 2024 season, the doubts surrounding SVG were abundant. Sure, he was the first person in 60 years to win in their Cup Series debut. And there could have been no better place to win it than the first time NASCAR raced in the streets of Chicago. But the big question mark that sprung up after SVG’s victory was: could the “road course ringer” replicate his incredible feat on NASCAR’s signature ovals? Well, he won no oval races in 2024, but the guy came close more than a few times this year.

Van Gisbergen still has some ways to go if we’re talking about his prowess on oval courses. But with how fast he’s been improving, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him win a circle track race next year. Although make no mistake, the Cup Series is a whole different beast. Only the strong survive. His eight Cup starts in the #16 Kaulig Chevy on ovals have yielded zero top-10 finishes this season. That’s not too good of a look. However, to doubt someone of SVG’s caliber is rather foolish.

The Kiwi is always solid on road courses. And thanks to the “win-and-you’re-in” playoff format, all he needs to do is win one road race, and that will guarantee him a Playoff berth in his debut Cup Series season. This gives Trackhouse Racing an edge, as they’ll become a three-car team in 2025. Now, a prospect like that is certainly enviable for Kaulig Racing. Regardless, in a recent Twitter post, they bid their departing #97 Xfinity Chevy driver a hearty goodbye, writing, “We had a ton of fun in 2024 watching @shanevg97 learn and grow on ovals while also earning his first three series wins and furthering our road course program alongside AJ (Allmendinger). We wish him the best of luck next season and we look forward to competing against him every Sunday!”

There is no question that Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig’s organization benefited from the expertise SVG brought to their race shop this year. But the same goes for van Gisbergen. The Kiwi made quantum leaps in his development behind the wheels of Kaulig Chevys. It was a full-circle moment when he capped off his year with his highest Cup finish on a NASCAR oval at Martinsville a few weeks ago driving the #16 that AJ Allmendinger booked for 2025. But SVG is taking a lot more than that to Trackhouse Racing next year.

It is important to note that Trackhouse is a Tier One Chevy-affiliated team, unlike Kaulig, which means Trackhouse receives more resources and support from the OEMs. And that’s not all. After an entire season racing under the Kaulig banner, SVG will bring extra info about their inner workings to his new organization this season. Hopefully, that will not become a clear checkmate situation against Kaulig Racing in 2025. But their brand-new roster might suggest a different story.

But can they fill the void of Shane van Gisbergen?

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Yes, AJ Allmendinger will have another full-time Cup run in the Kaulig #16, a positive development for the team. But his teammate in the #10 Chevy will be Ty Dillon, brother of Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon. Ty is the younger grandson of team owner Richard Childress, yet he hasn’t been a mainstay at his family race team since 2017. The 32-year-old has been winless in the Cup Series and has registered seven hard-earned top-10s in over 240 races. That does not fill most Kaulig Racing fans with confidence. And some suggest that Ty Dillon only found this seat because Kaulig Racing has a technical alliance with RCR.

Now, that might be a bit too harsh. After all, the guy was the Truck Series Rookie of the Year in 2012. But he’s yet to show that promise of his youth, and maybe this run with Kaulig could be fruitful for his advances in the bigger picture. However, unlike Allmendinger, Dillon’s appointment in the #10 seat does not inspire steadfast confidence. On the Xfinity Series side of things, Kaulig has brought in recruits Christian Eckes, and Daniel Dye in the #10, and #16 rides for 2025. And that will most certainly be something to look forward to.

But ultimately, most eyes fall on the biggest prize, i.e. the NASCAR Cup Series. Kaulig and Trackhouse appear to have drawn their lines early for next year. Both teams are now gearing up to draw every extra ounce of advantage from their respective brigades, which makes SVG’s advance one of the key moments to watch out for in 2025. He has already thanked his Kaulig teammates for everything he’s learned over the current year, as it draws to an end. But will they become his biggest rivals come next season? We still have plenty of time to figure that one out, but it sure looks very likely.