Shane van Gisbergen’s recent victory at Watkins Glen has drawn praise from motorsport legends, highlighting his impressive rise in NASCAR.
Celebrating Success in Victory Lane
[IMAGE0CONTEXT:ktm_unknown] Shane van Gisbergen celebrates his Watkins Glen win in Victory Lane. Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images. With his victory, van Gisbergen has garnered attention from notable figures in the racing community, including Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose, a two-time Supercars champion, understands the challenges of transitioning from Supercars to NASCAR, having made that leap himself back in 2006. His nine-year tenure in NASCAR, which included six full seasons in the Cup Series, gives him a unique perspective on van Gisbergen’s journey.
Ambrose is impressed with van Gisbergen’s trajectory and believes he has successfully navigated the initial challenges of establishing himself in the sport. This confidence is reflected in Trackhouse Racing’s recent multi-year contract with the Kiwi driver. “Shane’s an incredible driver; we knew that already with all the success that he had here in Australia,” Ambrose told Speedcafe. “He’s a rare find, he’s got a rare talent. He deserves to be on the international stage and he’s found his path in NASCAR.”
Achievements and Future Prospects
Van Gisbergen’s accomplishments in NASCAR are noteworthy, particularly as he has become the most successful non-American driver in Cup Series history, with five career wins, all achieved on road or street courses. Ambrose, who won twice at Watkins Glen in 2011 and 2012, is pleased to see van Gisbergen surpassing his own career statistics. “He’s doing incredible things; he’s certainly exceeded anything that I achieved over there,” Ambrose remarked.
Ambrose expresses a desire to witness van Gisbergen’s talent firsthand, hoping to travel to the States to watch him race. “I’d love to see him race in person if I can, and maybe next year I’ll go over there and go watch him work his magic. He deserves all of his success.”
Involvement in Australian Motorsport
Currently, Ambrose is deeply involved in the Australian motorsport scene, operating his own team in Trans-Am/TA2. He is also supportive of his daughter, Tabitha, who races in Formula Ford. Both Marcos and Tabitha will serve as ‘fanbassadors’ for the BP Adelaide Grand Final, which will conclude the Supercars season in November.