Shane Van Gisbergen Making Oval Debut with Niece Motorsports in Truck Race at IRP

Shane Van Gisbergen is getting ready to make the most of his trip to the United States, adding a second NASCAR National Series event to his schedule in Indianapolis.

The three-time Supercars champion, who scored the victory in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the inaugural Chicago Street Race, will join Niece Motorsports to make his oval debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Van Gisbergen will pilot the No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado, with sponsorship from Worldwide Express, a season-long partner of the Niece Motorsports entry.

Embrace Health and Quad Lock, both partners on the 34-year-old driver's No. 91 PROJECT91 NASCAR Cup Series entry, will also slot into associate sponsorship positions on the Chevrolet Silverado for the T-SPORT 200.

"The weekend will certainly be a challenge," said Van Gisbergen, who will compete in both the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series events. "I've seen the trucks race on television and know it's very competitive and that I'll have a lot to learn on a short track at IRP. I'm used to doing doubleheaders in Supercars, but this will be a little bit different. I'm honored to join Niece Motorsports and thrilled at getting a chance to climb in a truck."

The Perth, New Zealand native is joining a successful NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series operation in Niece Motorsports, which has scored three victories this season, all from 20-year-old driver Carson Hocevar, including the most recent race at Richmond Raceway.

"We are so excited and so honored to have Shane drive for us at IRP,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw. “He’s a legend in Australia and New Zealand, but what he did at Chicago has everyone in America talking about his talent. We will help him experience oval racing and I am guessing we will learn a lot from him as well.”

The victory in Chicago made Van Gisbergen only the seventh foreign-born winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, and started a boom of speculation about a potential move to the United States on a full-time basis, starting in 2024.

After his most-recent Supercars victory on August 11, the 81-time winner said that his intention is to pursue opportunities in NASCAR's top-three divisions.

Photo Credit: Tom Copeland /HHP for Chevy Racing