Shane van Gisbergen’s Cup race at Daytona International Speedway has ended prematurely. Having escaped the clutches of the big one during the stage 2 run, the Kiwi speedster ran into bad luck with his race car with 18 laps to go in the stage.

The engine on the No. 16 Chevy was engulfed in a cloud of dense white smoke. On initial viewing, it felt like the issue might be related to tires, but the fire from the exhaust on the race car highlighted the issue. Shane van Gisbergen was completely taken by surprise by this mishap.

“Something let go hard. … It just expired quick.” SVG shared this via his team radio. At the same time, Erik Jones and Martin Truex Jr. also ended up having trouble with their race car. This brought out a second race-related caution.

This was SVG’s second attempt with Kaulig Racing to get a good result at Daytona. Earlier in the week, he got caught up in a big wreck in the Xfinity Series race. But the Cup Series feature was even demoralizing with the engine troubles in his race car.

Perhaps the driver could take solace in the fact that he has secured a full-time ride in the Cup Series for 2025. SVG will lead the charge for the #88 team at Trackhouse Racing, and he will have a second bite at the Daytona race, continuing the legacy of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s iconic number.

Shane van Gisbergen will have more opportunities to shine at Daytona

In just his fifth NASCAR Cup Series start, SVG is still finding his footing in this new and challenging environment, especially as he balances a full-time run in the Xfinity Series. Unfortunately, today’s race didn’t go as planned. Engine trouble—beyond the control of both SVG and his team—cut short his run at the iconic track.

However, the 35-year-old has his eyes set on a bigger prize, having signed a contract with Trackhouse Racing to compete full-time in the Cup Series starting in 2025. And it’s not just any car he’ll be driving—it’s the legendary #88, a number once piloted by NASCAR greats like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett, and Darrell Waltrip. Team owner Justin Marks shared that they secured the number only after getting the green light from Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Jr. himself, adding to the weight of this exciting new chapter in SVG’s career.

“It’s important for us to have the endorsement. (Had) a great, great exchange with Dale Jr., saying, like, ‘Look, it’s not my number. I mean, I added to the legacy of it. It was important to me personally.’ But he was proud to see it in good hands, and that’s just something that’s super, super important to me and to this company.” Marks said.

SVG time and again expressed his desire to compete full-time in a Cup car. The only piece of the puzzle that needed to fit was a third charter, which now no longer seems to be a concern. Now that his dreams are coming true, the Kiwi driver is eager to kickstart a new chapter to add to his NASCAR success story.

“Yeah, it’s been a huge life change, as Justin said, and everything he said was going to happen has happened. I never thought it would happen this quick and I’m very glad we’ve done the learning year this year in Xfinity. Kaulig Racing has been great to work with, and then also a lot more races to finish the year now. Been a huge learning experience but just excited to get full-time in the Cup Series next year.”

Five more oval races in the Cup Series in 2024 will set the stage for SVG to adapt himself to the competition. Surprisingly, all five events that are lined up for him in the No. 16 car are on the ovals.