Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin have shared a competitive journey in the world of motorsport, particularly during their time in Supercars. Their rivalry and camaraderie were on full display at the Adelaide 500 in 2020, where they showcased their skills on the track.
Supercars Rivalry
[IMAGE0CONTEXT:ktm_500] Shane van Gisbergen (left) with Scott McLaughlin at the Adelaide 500 in 2020. Image: Mark Horsburgh. Throughout their time racing together in Supercars, McLaughlin often had the upper hand over van Gisbergen. Between 2013 and 2016, van Gisbergen consistently outperformed McLaughlin in the drivers’ championship standings, achieving a second-place finish in 2014 and ultimately claiming the championship title in 2016. However, the tables turned from 2017 to 2020, as McLaughlin finished ahead of van Gisbergen, securing second place behind Jamie Whincup in 2017 and winning three consecutive titles in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Transition to the United States
As McLaughlin’s career progressed, he hinted at a future in the United States, with many expecting him to transition to NASCAR. Instead, Roger Penske directed him towards IndyCar, where he has celebrated race victories and even secured a pole position at the Indianapolis 500. Van Gisbergen also made his mark in the United States by competing in NASCAR. During a dominant stretch, IndyCar commentator Townsend Bell suggested that McLaughlin might be the only driver capable of matching van Gisbergen’s prowess.
McLaughlin’s Perspective
“I definitely think I could give Shane a run for his money, but at the same time, I’m very happy for Shane,” McLaughlin stated during an episode of On Track with James Hinchcliffe and Alexander Rossi. “What he’s doing, I’ve always said he’s the one guy over there that could come over and do this. He’s so detailed with everything. He’s very fast. He’ll eventually get the ovals, which will be really good for him, and now he’s got some security to do it with his contract. Never say never, but just whenever the timing is right.”
Future Aspirations
When asked about his interest in NASCAR, McLaughlin expressed that there were too many complications to consider a serious commitment in the near future. He identified two primary challenges in making such a switch. “We’ve talked about it, but at the same time, I just want to get my finger on the pulse here. My full focus right now is IndyCar,” he explained. “I would love to maybe in the off-season, could I try to do a NASCAR race outside of our season that wouldn’t impact it? There are so many complications with all that too. They run Fords, I’m in a Chevy. I’m a Chevy guy. There are a whole range of things that come into that. Honestly, as much as it would be cool, it’s just not on my radar right now. There are just too many things, especially with the year we’ve had, and I just want to lock in a little bit. But, for sure, interested.”
Conclusion
As both drivers continue to carve their paths in motorsport, the question remains: has the novelty of NASCAR worn off for van Gisbergen? The future holds exciting possibilities for both Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin as they navigate their careers in the ever-evolving landscape of racing.