Every motorsport journey has its peaks and valleys, and Van Gisbergen’s rookie season has had more of the latter
But the story is far from over. His next few races could mark the beginning of a comeback arc—or at least a stabilization of his trajectory.
In the words of the driver himself, it’s time to “start getting some good results.” With the right circuits, a supportive team, and his natural driving ability, Shane Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR dream is still very much alive—and about to hit its most promising stretch yet.
What began as a nerve-wracking journey turned into an early highlight of the race weekend. Shane Van Gisbergen’s resilience, maturity, and sheer driving ability turned a logistical nightmare into a story of perseverance.
The plane may have “launched itself,” but Van Gisbergen is now firmly grounded in his mission: to chase down another memorable result and continue his rise in NASCAR.
Also Read: Justin Marks’ Emotional Tribute to Shane van Gisbergen: Celebration of Kiwi Excellence
Table of Contents
Shane Van Gisbergen’s Harrowing Flight to Mexico
“The Plane Launched Itself”
Shane Van Gisbergen’s weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico started with a burst of adrenaline—long before he even reached the racetrack.1
The New Zealand-born driver recounted a frightening incident that forced an aborted flight just hours before he was scheduled to practice.
A mechanical issue led to a turbulent attempt at take-off, described by Van Gisbergen as the moment the plane “launched itself,” creating a scenario no professional athlete expects ahead of competition.
As the world of motorsport continues to expand globally, the logistical complexity of transporting teams, equipment, and drivers becomes increasingly challenging.
But even in an industry used to tight schedules and high-speed drama, Van Gisbergen’s story stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Decent weekend with another Top 20 in the @SafetyCultureHQ chevvy! Wild track, average speed on the qualifying lap was 312kph 👊🏻😵👊🏻 Looking forward to some right handers next week! pic.twitter.com/72fCXK4qbc
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) June 8, 2025
Chaos in Charlotte: Widespread Flight Delays Disrupt Teams
Van Gisbergen wasn’t alone in his travel troubles. Dozens of drivers, crew members, and officials were stranded at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Thursday, June 12, following a series of mechanical issues on multiple flights destined for Mexico City.
What was supposed to be a routine trip for the NASCAR-affiliated series quickly turned into a logistical nightmare.
Reports surfaced that one aircraft experienced a loud mechanical noise during takeoff, while another encountered engine complications.
Teams were left waiting for hours, scrambling for alternate travel options as it became increasingly clear that delays were not just possible—they were inevitable.
For drivers like Van Gisbergen, who depend on routine and preparation before a race weekend, the uncertainty was more than just an inconvenience—it was a legitimate performance concern.
Shane Van Gisbergen’s Account: A ‘Scary’ Moment Before Takeoff
Speaking ahead of Friday’s practice, Van Gisbergen recounted the moment his original flight attempted to take off before abruptly stopping.2
His candid description conveyed the real sense of fear and confusion aboard the plane.
“Yeah, it wasn’t fun. Yesterday was a long day,” he said. “Pretty scary when the plane launched itself on take-off. But they stopped and were just trying to get another plane.”
For a man who races cars at over 200 mph for a living, it takes a particularly jarring experience to rattle him.
That Van Gisbergen labeled the flight “scary” underscores the seriousness of the event. Though he’s used to calculating risk on the racetrack, there’s little a passenger can do in a moment like that.
Beating the Clock: A 3:30 AM Wake-Up Call
After the first attempt to fly to Mexico was abandoned, Van Gisbergen was left with no choice but to try again—this time before the sun was even up.
He and several others woke up at 3:30 AM to catch an early flight, ensuring they’d arrive in time for the Friday practice sessions.
Such a tight turnaround would normally have a noticeable effect on driver readiness. Jet lag, stress, and sleep deprivation can compromise even the most experienced competitors. Yet Van Gisbergen didn’t let the chaos ruin his weekend.
Van Gisbergen Shines in Practice Despite Setbacks
Once he finally touched down in Mexico, Van Gisbergen wasted no time making an impression. During both of Friday’s practice sessions, the three-time Supercars champion consistently ran inside the top 10.
His road-course background gave him a clear edge at the technical Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, which features a mix of sweeping corners, tight chicanes, and long straights.
Even though his preparation was far from ideal, his pace on the track said otherwise. It was a clear message: nothing—certainly not a delayed flight or lack of sleep—was going to derail his performance.
Shane Van Gisbergen’s Rapid Rise: From Supercars to NASCAR
Van Gisbergen’s move from Supercars to NASCAR has been one of the sport’s most closely watched transitions.3
Known for his incredible car control, aggressive racecraft, and adaptability, he made headlines in 2023 when he won his Cup Series debut on the Chicago Street Course—a feat few thought possible for a first-timer.
His road course pedigree has made him a legitimate contender in any race with twists and turns. And while oval racing remains a learning curve, his results on tracks like COTA and Sonoma have proven he belongs at this level.
His ability to remain calm under pressure—both on track and 30,000 feet above it—continues to endear him to fans and teammates alike.
Teammates and Officials React to Travel Drama
Van Gisbergen wasn’t the only one affected by the travel issues. Several teams posted updates on social media showing their drivers and crews waiting in terminals, eating snacks, and trying to make the best of a frustrating situation.
“We’re just happy everyone’s safe,” said one team official. “Mechanical issues on a plane are never fun, but the airline did the right thing pulling the plane when they did.”
Drivers exchanged messages of support as they regrouped in Mexico City. For most, it was a reminder of how unpredictable the motorsport lifestyle can be—even off the track.
Safety Comes First: Aviation Protocols Prevent Disaster
While the experience was no doubt traumatic, aviation experts were quick to point out that the situation was handled appropriately.
A premature takeoff attempt followed by an aborted run suggests that the flight crew and onboard systems responded to potential threats exactly as they were trained to.
Though passengers like Van Gisbergen may have felt frightened or disoriented, the fact that the aircraft stopped safely and was taken out of service for maintenance is a testament to aviation safety standards.
As one pilot explained, “Anytime you hear about a takeoff being aborted, that means the system worked. The issue could’ve been much worse if they hadn’t stopped.”
Van Gisbergen’s Mental Toughness Sets Him Apart
- Racing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and Van Gisbergen’s ability to compartmentalize stress proved vital. Instead of dwelling on the scare, he used it as fuel.
- Arriving sleep-deprived, disoriented, and likely exhausted, he jumped into the car and delivered performance after performance during practice.
- That kind of mental toughness is why teams value him, and why fans continue to rally behind him.
- With practice sessions in the books and his travel woes behind him, Van Gisbergen now turns his focus to qualifying and race day.
- If his pace on Friday is any indication, he’s poised to be a factor in Mexico—especially on a road course where his skills are most pronounced.
- He’ll have to contend with NASCAR regulars who know how to find speed in tricky situations, but there’s no question he’s one of the drivers to watch this weekend.
Also Read: Shane van Gisbergen’s Radio Message: The Chevrolet Controversy Heating Up at Martinsville
Shane Van Gisbergen’s Full-Time Gamble
When Shane Van Gisbergen announced his full-time switch to NASCAR’s Cup Series in 2024, it sent shockwaves through the motorsport community.
Known for his dominance in Supercars and his incredible racecraft on street and road courses, expectations were understandably high.
However, the realities of adapting to NASCAR’s unique oval-heavy schedule have tested the Kiwi star in ways few could predict.
With just one top-10 finish in 15 starts, Van Gisbergen’s rookie campaign has been more grueling than glorious. Yet, a silver lining has emerged: a series of upcoming road course races, where his natural strengths are expected to shine.
The Road Course Reprieve: A Schedule Built for Redemption
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule offers variety, but few international drivers have flourished consistently outside of road and street circuits.
For Van Gisbergen, the stretch beginning with the Viva Mexico 250 is a welcome break from the relentless rhythm of ovals. After enduring steep learning curves at superspeedways and intermediates, he finally enters familiar territory.
From Mexico City to Sonoma, Chicago, and the Indianapolis Road Course, the next few weeks will feature a lineup of venues where SVG’s skills can be fully expressed.
His sixth-place finish at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) remains his season highlight—and a reminder that he belongs when the track twists and turns.
A Humble Approach to Viva Mexico 250
Van Gisbergen didn’t mince words ahead of his debut at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Speaking to Speedway Digest, he admitted missing the track walk—a common routine for Cup drivers to get a feel for a new circuit.
“Unfortunately, I missed the track walk this morning, so the first look will be on the drive around,” he said. “But yeah, it looks great. Should be some good racing. Nice to have a little break from the ovals for me, even though we’ve been getting a lot better the last few weeks.”
Despite the setback, Van Gisbergen remains optimistic, emphasizing that the upcoming road course stretch is his chance to start earning “some good results.”
Shane Van Gisbergen: Adjusting to the American Way
Oval Learning Curve
While road racing offers precision and braking acumen, oval racing demands intuition, experience, and endurance. Van Gisbergen has had to relearn fundamentals.
Drafting, side-drafting, managing dirty air, and conserving tires under green-flag runs are skills honed through years of stock car racing—something his rivals have in abundance.
Driving the #88 Chevy for Trackhouse Racing in collaboration with Kaulig Racing, Van Gisbergen’s oval progress has been steady but slow.
He currently sits 33rd in the standings, with 192 points and an average finish of 25th. For a driver accustomed to front-running dominance in Supercars, it’s been a humbling journey.
Trackhouse Racing: A Culture of Experimentation and Patience
Trackhouse Racing’s approach has been instrumental in giving Van Gisbergen the space he needs to grow.
Co-owner Justin Marks has long envisioned bringing international talent into NASCAR, and SVG is a cornerstone of that vision.
The team understands that transitioning to full-time Cup competition isn’t an overnight transformation.
Unlike many teams that demand immediate results, Trackhouse is in it for the long haul with SVG. They’ve provided support, mentorship, and a degree of patience that few rookies in the Cup garage receive.
View this post on Instagram
Fanbase and Future: The SVG Effect
While results have been modest, Van Gisbergen’s presence has undoubtedly expanded NASCAR’s international footprint.
His fanbase from Australia and New Zealand remains loyal, tuning in to watch him take on America’s best. His victory in his NASCAR debut on the Chicago Street Course in 2023 remains one of the most iconic rookie moments in recent memory.
Now, with Chicago back on the calendar, fans are eager to see if lightning can strike twice. The July 7th race could serve as the perfect turning point in his season—and perhaps his entire NASCAR narrative.
Mental Fortitude in a Challenging Rookie Season
For many rookies, especially international ones, the Cup Series can be demoralizing.
The cars are heavier, the racing more aggressive, and the grind unrelenting. But Van Gisbergen’s mental toughness is part of what’s kept him moving forward.
Despite the lack of consistent results, he has never blamed his team or circumstances.
He continues to approach each race weekend with curiosity, humility, and a desire to improve. The road course stretch offers a mental reset—not just a strategic one.
As the Cup Series makes its historic debut in Mexico City for points-paying competition, all eyes will be on the drivers who excel outside the oval formula. For Van Gisbergen, this isn’t just another race—it’s a critical opportunity.
A top-5 finish, or even a podium, could rejuvenate his season and build crucial momentum heading into Chicago and Sonoma. More importantly, it could prove that his transition isn’t just a novelty story, but a viable blueprint for global racers entering NASCAR.
Also Read: Shane van Gisbergen Opens Up About Not Fun Watkins Glen Race After Losing P2 Late
