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NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice & Qualifying Aug 12, 2023 Speedway, Indiana, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane Van Gisbergen 91 during practice for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Speedway Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Indiana USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexDinovox 20230812_mcd_ad4_24 | Image Credits: Imago
via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice & Qualifying Aug 12, 2023 Speedway, Indiana, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane Van Gisbergen 91 during practice for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Speedway Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Indiana USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMikexDinovox 20230812_mcd_ad4_24 | Image Credits: Imago
Stewart-Haas Racing is all set to close by the end of the 2024 season, a move that has shaken the NASCAR community. The team’s decision to put its four charters up for sale has intensified the competition among existing stakeholders who are desperate to seize these valuable assets.
Trackhouse Racing is one such team that is competing with other teams wanting these charters so that Xfinity drivers like Shane van Gisbergen can race in the Cup Series. With multiple teams from NASCAR looking out to get the Kiwi onboard, the stakes are very high. Why the shift? SVG showed an outstanding performance at Portland International Raceway, punching his ticket into the playoffs for the second-tier stock car division case. Now if Trackhouse fails to get a room for the #16 Chevy driver in the Cup series, SVG might have to sleep on the couch.
As per a recent Sportsnaut report, Shane van Gisbergen talked about his primary motive for joining NASCAR and opined on his Cup series future, “That’s why I moved here, right? I haven’t been told that’s not the plan, but no confirmation yet either.” Van Gisbergen currently sits 14th in the Xfinity Series driver standings, but as the season treks on, if his trajectory continues to trend upward in oval racing in the second half of the year, he could be in a position to pounce at the Xfinity Series championship.
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However, when it comes to his Cup career, the uncertainty underscoring Tony Stewart’s SHR charter sale has a role in SVG’s future. Trackhouse needs to secure a charter or form an alliance within the Cup Series (as it did with Kaulig Racing in Xfinity), such that there can be a vacancy for SVG next year.
Trackhouse Racing has been recruiting foreign talent into NASCAR through its Project 91 initiative. A move that allows international drivers to try their skills in NASCAR. So far, SVG has shone brightly during this program by winning at Chicago Street Roadcourse, which demonstrated his flexibility and ability.
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Evidently enough, Shane van Gisbergen has gradually adapted himself to NASCAR. Adding on to his adaptability and how he is looking forward to the coming races, SVG said, “Another six months, so it’s all about time. Every time I go out, I feel more comfortable and competitive, and understand how racing works. We have some more ovals coming up in the Cup car towards the later half of this year so that will help me.”
His dedication to understanding and excelling at the Cup Series is apparent, and acquiring a charter is paramount to maintaining this progressional ladder.
Will Trackhouse confirm a spot for Shane van Gisbergen?
The potential snagging of a charter by Trackhouse Racing from Stewart-Haas Racing is strategic maneuvering in a cutthroat environment. This has further sparked serious interest from top teams like 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, as well as Kaulig Racing and Dale Earnhardt Jr‘s JR Motorsports. Each team sees bagging a charter as key to boosting their competitive edge.
Trackhouse Racing’s game plan in this hustle is crucial. They’re checking out all angles, from straight-up buys to strategic alliances, and the partnership with Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series has been a solid collaboration, and rolling this into the Cup Series could be a solid move. However, the odds are high that Trackhouse will spring for a straight-up purchase rather than an alliance. NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass spills, “My sources indicate the plan is for Front Row, 23XI, and Trackhouse to each buy one. The fourth charter buyer is still unclear.”
Stewart-Haas Racing will close after the 2024 season, according to a statement from Gene Haas and Tony Stewart. Did not announce who will be buying the charters. My sources indicate plan is for Front Row, 23XI, Trackhouse to each buy one. Fourth charter buyer still unclear. pic.twitter.com/lw5eC3CGf3
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 28, 2024
As real-time negotiations go down, every move packs a punch. The outcome of Trackhouse’s play for a charter will shape their future and could shake up the entire NASCAR scene.
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Additionally, SVG’s situation ain’t one-of-a-kind. Plenty of other foreign drivers have had to jump through the same hoops while getting the hang of NASCAR. Take Marcos Ambrose, for instance. The Aussie nailed two Cup Series wins at Watkins Glen International in 2011 and 2012, showing off his skills on the road course, but his journey pretty much sums up what international drivers go through when they join NASCAR. However, SVG, with his killer debut in 2023, definitely left a mark on everyone.
In short, Shane van Gisbergen’s fate hangs in the balance for now, with Trackhouse holding the cards. As the negotiations go down, the motorsport community is all eyes and ears. Everyone’s itching to see if Trackhouse can lock down the needed charter and give SVG the platform to keep his NASCAR ride on track.
