History of Shane van Gisbergen in Timeline

Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) is a highly accomplished New Zealand professional racing driver. He currently competes in NASCAR's Cup and Xfinity Series. Prior to NASCAR, he was a dominant force in the Supercars Championship, driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering. Van Gisbergen is a three-time Supercars Champion (2016, 2021, 2022) and ranks 4th all-time in Supercars wins with 80 victories and 46 pole positions. He has also secured three Bathurst 1000 wins (2020, 2022, and 2023), further solidifying his status as a top racing talent.

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Full Timeline

1963: Johnny Rutherford's NASCAR Debut Win

In 1963, Indy car driver Johnny Rutherford won in his NASCAR Cup Series debut, a feat matched by Shane van Gisbergen in 2023.

1973: Mark Donohue's NASCAR Victory

In 2023, Shane Van Gisbergen became the first "road course ringer" to win a Cup Series race since Indy car driver Mark Donohue in 1973.

1978: Terry Labonte's Two Top Tens in the First Two Starts

In 2023, Shane Van Gisbergen became the first to start a NASCAR Cup career with two top-tens in their first two starts since Terry Labonte in 1978.

May 1989: Shane van Gisbergen's Birth

On May 1989, Shane Robert van Gisbergen, known as SVG, was born. He is a New Zealand professional racing driver.

1998: Start of racing career

In 1998, Shane van Gisbergen began his racing career competing in Motocross, Quarter Midgets and karts until 2004.

1999: Tony Stewart's Rookie Season

In 1999, Tony Stewart achieved a significant number of wins in his rookie season in the Cup Series. In 2025, van Gisbergen's performance tied him with Stewart's record.

2002: Jimmie Johnson's Rookie Season

In 2002, Jimmie Johnson had a notable number of wins in his rookie season in the Cup Series. In 2025, van Gisbergen's achievements matched those of Johnson's rookie year.

2004: End of Quarter Midgets and Karts racing

From 1998 to 2004, Shane van Gisbergen competed in Motocross, Quarter Midgets and karts racing.

2005: Third Place and Rookie of the Year in NZ Formula First

In 2005, van Gisbergen placed third in the 2004/2005 New Zealand Formula First Championship and received the Rookie of the Year award.

2006: Win and Rookie of the Year Title in NZ Formula Ford

In 2006, Shane van Gisbergen won the 2005/06 New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, earning another Rookie of the Year title.

2007: V8 Supercar Debut

In 2007, Shane van Gisbergen debuted in V8 Supercars at the Jim Beam 400 at Oran Park Raceway, driving for Team Kiwi Racing, becoming the 200th driver to start a race in a V8 Supercar.

2008: Signing with Stone Brothers Racing

In 2008, Shane van Gisbergen was signed by Stone Brothers Racing after impressing in his 2007 races.

2009: Bathurst 1000 Lead Lost Due to Pit Stop Issues

In the 2009 Bathurst 1000, Shane van Gisbergen was leading until a pit stop on lap 108 was prolonged due to his car not starting, causing him to lose positions.

2011: Fourth in the Championship

In 2011, Shane van Gisbergen secured a best of fourth in the championship.

2011: Death of Jason Richards

In 2016, at Pukekohe, van Gisbergen became the first New Zealander to lift the trophy, named in honour of Jason Richards, who died of cancer in 2011.

2012: Departure Announcement from V8 Supercars initially

In late 2012, Shane van Gisbergen announced he would be leaving V8 Supercars. Later, it was announced that he was moving to Tekno Autosports at the start of the 2013 season.

2013: Move to Tekno Autosports

At the start of the 2013 season, Shane van Gisbergen moved to Tekno Autosports.

2014: BNT NZ Supertourers Hankook Super Series Championship

In 2014, Shane van Gisbergen co-drove with Simon Evans to win the BNT NZ Supertourers Hankook Super Series championship, winning 7 of the 9 races in the Endurance rounds.

2014: Runner-up in the Championship

In 2014, Shane van Gisbergen finished runner-up in the championship.

2014: Bathurst 1000 Starter Motor Failure

In the 2014 Bathurst 1000, Shane van Gisbergen, who started from pole position, experienced a near-identical issue with 10 laps to go, where his car stalled and the starter motor failed, costing him a certain victory. He finished 16th.

2015: Blancpain Endurance Series Entry

In 2015, Shane van Gisbergen entered the Blancpain Endurance Series in a McLaren 650S GT3, achieving two victories in the four races he entered. He was forced to miss one round due to a date clash.

2015: Second place in the 2015 24 Hours of Daytona

In 2015, Shane van Gisbergen finished in second place in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTD class.

2016: Kyle Busch at Indianapolis

In 2016, Kyle Busch achieved the feat of sweeping the Xfinity and Cup races in a single weekend from the pole at Indianapolis. In 2025, Van Gisbergen joined him in that achievement

2016: Move to Triple Eight Race Engineering and Championship Win

In 2016, Shane van Gisbergen joined Triple Eight Race Engineering, won his first race for the team at the Tasmania SuperSprint, won the Enduro Cup with Alexandre Prémat, and ultimately won the championship.

2016: Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Win

In 2016, Shane van Gisbergen moved to McLaren's Garage 59 team and won the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup with Côme Ledogar and Rob Bell, despite missing the final round due to a clash with his Supercars Championship commitments.

2016: First Supercars Championship Win

In 2016, Shane van Gisbergen won his first Supercars Championship, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.

2016: Bathurst 12 Hour Victory and Lap Record

In 2016, Shane van Gisbergen won the Bathurst 12 Hour driving a Tekno Autosports McLaren 650S GT3 alongside Álvaro Parente and Jonathon Webb. He set the fastest ever officially recorded lap of the Mount Panorama Circuit during qualifying and the fastest ever race lap.

2016: GT Racing Successes in 2016

In 2016, van Gisbergen achieved significant success in GT Racing, winning the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour alongside Alvaro Parente and Jonathon Webb in the McLaren 650S GT3, and also winning the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup. He also finished 3rd overall in the 2016 Intercontinental GT Challenge.

2017: Title Defense and Championship Result

In 2017, Shane van Gisbergen started his title defense with a double-victory at Adelaide but finished 4th in the championship.

2018: Adelaide Wins and Sydney SuperNight Victory

In 2018, Shane van Gisbergen won both Race 1 and Race 2 at Adelaide, won Race 18 at Townsville, won the Sydney SuperNight 300 on August 4, and dominated the inaugural race at The Bend Motorsport Park, taking a near lights-to-flag win in Race 22. On 16 September, at Sandown, van Gisbergen finished 2nd alongside Earl Bamber.

2018: Newcastle Race and Championship Result

In the final round of 2018 at Newcastle, Shane van Gisbergen won race 30 but received a 25-second penalty due to a refueling breach, dropping him to fifth. He finished fourth in race 31 and second in the points standings, behind Scott McLaughlin.

2020: First Bathurst 1000 Win

In 2020, Shane van Gisbergen won his first Bathurst 1000 race, a significant achievement in Australian motorsport.

2021: Second Supercars Championship Win

In 2021, Shane van Gisbergen secured his second Supercars Championship title, further solidifying his status in the sport.

2021: New Zealand Grand Prix Win

In 2021, Shane van Gisbergen won the New Zealand Grand Prix, which was restricted to a New Zealand-only field due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: Third Supercars Championship Win

In 2022, Shane van Gisbergen achieved his third Supercars Championship victory, adding another prestigious title to his achievements.

2022: Bathurst 1000 Win with Garth Tander

In 2022, Shane van Gisbergen won the Bathurst 1000 with Garth Tander in what would be the final race for Holden.

May 2023: NASCAR Cup Series Debut Announcement and Chicago Win

In May 2023, it was announced that Shane van Gisbergen would debut in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing at the Chicago Street Course. He won the race, becoming the first driver in the modern era to win in his Cup Series debut race.

July 2023: Second NASCAR Cup Start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

On 19 July 2023, Trackhouse Racing announced van Gisbergen would make his second start of the 2023 season at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

August 2023: NASCAR Truck Series and Oval Debut

In August 2023, Shane van Gisbergen made both his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR oval debut at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, driving the No. 41 for Niece Motorsports.

September 2023: Trackhouse Development Deal Announcement

On 14 September 2023, Trackhouse announced that Shane van Gisbergen would drive part-time in all three of NASCAR's national series in 2024 as part of a development deal with the team.

December 2023: Full-Time NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing

On 13 December 2023, Kaulig Racing announced that Shane van Gisbergen would compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 97 car. He also had to run the ARCA race at Daytona.

2023: South Island Endurance Series Race

In 2023, Shane van Gisbergen competed in the South Island Endurance Series at Euromarque Motorsport Park, running a Brabham BT62. The team had to retire from the race due to a loose right rear wheel.

2023: Third Bathurst 1000 Win

In 2023, Shane van Gisbergen secured his third Bathurst 1000 victory, driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering.

2023: NASCAR Cup Series Debut Win at Grant Park 220

In 2023, Shane van Gisbergen won his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Grant Park 220 in Chicago, driving the No. 91 for Trackhouse Racing. He became the first driver since Johnny Rutherford in 1963 to win in their NASCAR Cup Series debut and the first New Zealander to win a race in the Cup Series.

January 2024: Signing with Pinnacle Racing Group and KHI Management

On 2 January 2024, it was announced that Shane van Gisbergen would be competing for Pinnacle Racing Group in the ARCA race. On 31 January, he signed with KHI Management.

August 2024: Van Gisbergen to Drive Full-Time in Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing

In August 2024, it was announced that Shane van Gisbergen will drive full-time in the Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet in 2025.

2024: Part-time driving in NASCAR

As part of a development deal with Trackhouse, Shane van Gisbergen would drive part-time in all three of NASCAR's national series in 2024.

2024: Select Cup Series Races in 2024

In 2024, Shane van Gisbergen ran some select Cup Series races with Kaulig Racing, driving the No. 13 for one race and the No. 16 for the rest of the races. He scored his first career Cup Series pole at the Charlotte Roval and ultimately finished second at the 2024 Watkins Glen race.

January 2025: Van Gisbergen to Drive Part-Time in Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports

In January 2025, it was announced that van Gisbergen would drive part-time in the Xfinity Series in the No. 9 for JR Motorsports. In his first start for the team, he won at the Chicago street course after holding off teammate Connor Zilisch.

2025: 2025 Cup Series Season

In 2025, van Gisbergen started the season with a 33rd-place finish at the Daytona 500. Despite struggling, he secured a win and a playoff spot at Mexico City, winning by sixteen seconds. He continued his dominance on road courses, winning at Chicago, becoming the winningest non-American driver in the Cup Series. He also swept the Xfinity and Cup races in a single weekend. He won at Sonoma after sweeping the poles for both Xfinity and Cup races, tying for most wins in a rookie season. Later, he earned his fourth win at Watkins Glen, becoming the winningest-rookie Cup Series driver in a single season.

Mentioned in this timeline

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