Shane van Gisbergen is the talk of the town at the moment. The Kiwi has recently secured a full-time Cup Series seat with Trackhouse Racing and is expected to make his Chili Bowl Nationals debut before the start of the 2025 season. With his versatility being hailed within the racing community, it was only a matter of time before the 35-year-old would be linked with an appearance in the zMAX CARS Tour. However, SVG has swiftly shut down any speculation regarding his participation in Dale Jr.’s auto racing series.

Speaking after the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway, the Auckland native shared the reasons behind his refusal to participate in the CARS Tour, despite Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks also having a stake in the racing series.

Shane van Gisbergen impresses with a seventh-place result

Darlington Raceway was the first intermediate oval that Shane van Gisbergen has returned to in the Xfinity Series this season, and the Kiwi didn’t disappoint. Despite starting the race in 26th place, SVG quickly climbed up the ladder to finish 11th by the end of Stage 1. The Kaulig Racing driver finished Stage 2 in 13th position after the on-track drama with Brandon Jones cost him a few spots on the grid. However, his No. 97 Chevy showed lightning-fast pace in Stage 3, which helped him finish the race in seventh place, his fourth top-ten finish on an oval track during his rookie season.

Speaking to Frontstretch after the race, Chase Folsom asked Shane van Gisbergen about the possibility of him racing in the CARS Tour or the South Carolina 400. In response, the 35-year-old racing driver replied, “I’d love to race anything I can but the price is wild. We don’t have anything like that at home. You go off, you’re in the trees. It’s wild, I’ve never seen anything like that.”

When Shane van Gisbergen said, “The price is wild,” what does that mean exactly? If we had to speculate, it could mean several things, starting with the possibility that the cost of racing in the CARS Tour could be high, which might deter the Kiwi from participating in the racing series.

The other possibility could be SVG facing the challenge of balancing his schedule if he continues in NASCAR while also participating in the CARS Tour. With SVG recently securing a full-time Cup Series seat, he may have to sacrifice his CARS Tour involvement, a significant trade-off. Despite this, the Kaulig Racing driver has shown strong interest in the CARS Tour, having attended a recent event in Florence.

SVG’s return to Darlington was promising, with a notable improvement from his previous P15 finish. With three races remaining before the Round of 12 playoffs at Kansas Speedway, he’s hitting his stride. His recent performance includes two top-10 finishes in the last four Xfinity Series races, totaling seven for the season. SVG now aims to excel in the Cup Series, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro at the Cook Out Southern 500 on the 1.366-mile oval.

SVG eyes Chili Bowl debut ahead of 2025 Cup Series season

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There’s a lot to look forward to for Shane van Gisbergen. Not only is he competing in the Xfinity Series playoffs, but he has also secured a Cup Series seat with Trackhouse Racing. The Kiwi might soon compete in the world’s premier midget racing event, the Chili Bowl Nationals. Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks is enthusiastic about the 35-year-old’s potential participation, despite the Auckland native finding midget car racing more challenging than sprint or stock car racing.

Speaking about the prospect of competing at the Chili Bowl Nationals, SVG said, “It’s pretty hard for a big fella to drive those cars. There’s no rules in Chili Bowl either. You know, they’re all lightweight cars, lightweight drivers, so you’re at a huge disadvantage being over 60 kilos. They’re all little jockeys. So for anyone normal sized it’s hard to rock up and do that race.”

Shane van Gisbergen isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Despite his tall frame, the Kiwi would eagerly embrace the opportunity to compete in the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals. With drivers like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell having not only participated but won at the event, SVG aims to join their ranks. A victory would further solidify his reputation as a versatile racing driver. However, it remains to be seen if this opportunity will become a reality in the coming months.

What are your thoughts on Shane van Gisbergen’s performance at Darlington Raceway? Share your comments below!