By Zach Arnold

Van Gisbergen’s NASCAR career was born back in May when Team Trackhouse announced the 34-year-old would drive a one-off race later that summer in July when NASCAR would make its debut on the Chicago Street Course. 

The three time Supercars champion would drive for an international program Team Trackhouse built, called Project 91. This was meant to bring in highly accomplished racing drivers from around the world to compete in NASCAR’s highest division.

July came fast, and so did Van Gisbergen. Leaving his home country of New Zealand to approach an exciting opportunity in the United States was no ordeal for him. Using his skills developed from racing in the Supercars since 2007, he adjusted to a stock car very quickly. He out-qualified 34 NASCAR stars; and slotted himself to start third for one of the most amped-up races on the 2023 schedule. The next day, he stole the show by winning his first NASCAR race in his first-ever Cup Series start. 

This win gave Team Trackhouse their second win in the 2023 season, van Gisbergen’s teammates finished in 22nd and 27th. Despite the poor finishes by his teammates, this was a huge win for the Project 91 program and NASCAR as a whole. As hr told NBC post race, “It’s what you dream of, hopefully, I can come and do more.”

The New Zealander did come back for more, not too long after. Over a month later, it was announced van Gisbergen would make his second NASCAR Cup Series start on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course with Project 91. The 79-time Supercars race winner was not the only international driver competing at Indianapolis; Kamui Kobayashi, Brodie Kostecki, Mike Rockenfeller, and Jenson Button joined him racing for different teams.

Van Gisbergen qualified in eighth after having little practice around the famed track. His teammate Daniel Suarez had the fastest lap and captured his third career pole. The No. 91 fought tough all day, van Gisbergen finishing 10th in his second career start. Being able to brag that your first two starts in the NASCAR Cup Series resulted in a trip to victory lane and a top-ten is a nice flex to have.

Fans are eager to find out what van Gisbergen’s future is in NASCAR. Throughout all the rumors and speculation, the New Zealander gave some insight on what he thinks the start of his NASCAR career should look like.

“Don’t know about full-time but I’m working towards something at least. The team Triple Eight in Australia has been really good to me on forthcoming of what I’m allowed to do so I’m working hard. Here, I’m having so much fun, I’m having a blast.” van Gisbergen told NBC Sports after racing at Indianapolis.

To me, it sounds like van Gisbergen has enjoyed his time racing in NASCAR and is looking for some part-time role for next year. The NASCAR world will have to wait to see what the world class racer from New Zealand is open to doing in the future.

Catch the NASCAR Cup Series next race this Saturday at Daytona International Speedway for the regular-season finale at 7:00pm EST.