Motorsports enthusiasts usually have their hearts racing for the drivers tearing up the track, but a fair few also get a kick out of the juicy stories the media digs up during the offseason. Interestingly, both camps would be thrilled to hear that the race is already off to a flying start. And the most anticipated driver of the 2024 season—the Kiwi contender, Shane van Gisbergen—has already shown a sneak peek of his racing strategy.

During the initial practice at Daytona in the ARCA series, things didn’t look up for Shane van Gisbergen (or SVG, as he’s known). His performance wasn’t the blockbuster everyone was expecting. However, the second pre-test turned the tables—it was quite an eye-opener. For now, SVG has come clean about his efforts to get used to his new surroundings, the fresh faces around him, and the whole new world he’s stepped into.

Shane van Gisbergen is still finding his feet, both in his professional and personal life

During his first dance with the Daytona track in the ARCA series, Shane van Gisbergen found himself in the 38th spot, not exactly where he hoped to be. Meanwhile, Marco Andretti, steering his Cook Racing Technologies No. 17A Chevy, was flying high. He didn’t crack the top four’s sub-49-second barrier, but landing in the fifth spot on his ARCA debut is nothing to sneeze at.

As everyone eagerly anticipated the second day of practice at Daytona, SVG admits he’s still getting his bearings. He quipped that the biggest challenge hasn’t been on the racetrack but rather adjusting to driving on the opposite side of the road in his day-to-day life. “Driving on the other side of the road. Stuff like that is a big difference, but it’s been cool so far,” he shared with Journalonline recently.

The Chicago race was a game-changer for SVG, setting him on a path few have trodden since Johnny Rutherford’s victory back in ’63. It opened doors to the Indy roval race and eventually led him to the Daytona track this year. Shane’s excitement is palpable. “The excitement around it is what’s made me do it. It’s so enjoyable,” he said.

Watch This Story: Shane Van Gisbergen Expresses His Concerns Heading to Daytona

“It’s a big challenge for all of us but the potential is huge to tell a cool story here with Trackhouse. Myself, my girlfriend and our dog moved halfway around the world to come have a crack and have some fun. Our world has changed a lot since Chicago. We were both pretty happy in Australia but to get this opportunity … we were ready to come have a go but enjoy ourselves along the way.”

While Shane van Gisbergen’s been adjusting and settling in, the Supercars champion has also voiced a few concerns as the Daytona race looms on the horizon.

The Kiwi driver was stepping into unknown territory at his first Daytona race

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Chatting on the NASCAR Live podcast on Spotify, Shane van Gisbergen shared his jitters about the upcoming challenge. “The first race is gonna be a shock, like Daytona is so far remote to what I have ever done. So, I don’t really know what to expect or how to approach it. But I’m sure I’ll get some good advice from people and try to settle in, get through it,” he said.

Despite his initial uncertainties, Shane van Gisbergen, behind the wheel of a Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet, showed marked improvement on the second day of ARCA’s pre-race test. He clocked a time of 49.410 seconds, shaving off a chunk from his 49.674-second run the day before.

Read More: “It’s Going to Be a Shock”: Shane van Gisbergen Expresses His Concerns, Heading to Daytona

At the end of his debut weekend on a superspeedway, Shane van Gisbergen landed a respectable 12th place on the combined leaderboard, competing against 76 drivers. Well, that was quite the start for a newbie on such a challenging track!