- SVG aims for first Truck Series win, returning to road racing at Watkins Glen.
- Victory would make him the 42nd driver to win all 3 of NASCAR’s national series.
- Niece Motorsports targets its first-ever road course win with lineup featuring SVG.
There’s a different kind of buzz when Shane van Gisbergen gets added to an entry list, not the usual hype, but something closer to curiosity mixed with expectation. Not if he’ll be fast, but how he will win this time. As of now, the pattern is hard to ignore: give the man a road course, and he finds a way to make seasoned NASCAR regulars uncomfortable.
Watkins Glen isn’t new territory for him. What is new, though, is the context. In fact, this isn’t about proving he belongs anymore. This time, when van Gisbergen heads to Watkins Glen International for a rare Truck Series start, it feels less like a cameo and more like unfinished business.
Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Truck return brings fresh opportunity at Watkins Glen
There’s just one piece missing, a different kind of car, and a very small group of drivers on the other side of it.
SVG’s upcoming run in the Truck Series comes with Niece Motorsports, where he’ll pilot the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado in the May 8 event. Surprisingly, it’s only his second start in the series, considering how quickly he has built a reputation across NASCAR’s top levels.
His first and only attempt came in 2023 at IRP short track, and it was about as tough an introduction as you could ask for. That said, he brought the truck home 19th.
This time, however, the conditions are completely different. “The Glen” plays directly into what he does best. The rhythm of a road course, the precision under braking, the ability to manage corners rather than just survive them; it’s where the Kiwi operates with a level of comfort that few in the field can match.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to race for Niece Motorsports at Watkins Glen,” SVG stated. “I raced the truck once back in 2023 at IRP and it was epic! Happy to be back at one of my favorite tracks. Hopefully we have a good crack at it. Thanks to Niece Motorsports, Circle B Diecast, DQS, J.F. Electric, Chevrolet and Trackhouse for giving me the opportunity. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The driver’s own words reflect his mindset, he’s excited, he knows the track, and he expects to be competitive. That confidence isn’t misplaced, especially considering how quickly he’s adapted to NASCAR’s road racing discipline.
Not to mention, the team around him reflects that same mindset. His Trackhouse Racing teammate, Ross Chastain, one of the most aggressive and proven racers in the field, joins the Niece lineup for the event, while Andrés Pérez de Lara adds another layer of road course capability.
There’s also a quiet stat hanging over the weekend. Although Niece Motorsports has won races (nine – five by Chastain, four by Carson Hocevar) in the third-tier Series, they have never on a road course and SVG might be their best chance yet.
Why Shane van Gisbergen’s next NASCAR win could be his most significant yet
What makes this start more than just an interesting entry is what it represents. The Kiwi champion has already done the hard part: crossing over from Supercars and proved his mettle.
On that note, wins at the Cup and O’Reilly levels didn’t come as a slow build; they arrived quickly enough to shift how competitors approach road course weekends altogether. But there’s still one box unchecked, he hasn’t won in the Truck Series.
Reflecting on the stint, Cody Efaw, Team President and CEO of Niece stated, “Shane’s ability on road courses made him a clear priority for our organization at Watkins Glen. When we learned Shane had interest in running Truck Series races, it felt like a natural fit.”
“Our fab and body shop have put in a tremendous amount of work building new road course trucks, and we’re confident in what we’re bringing to the track. With Shane and Ross – both proven Cup Series road course winners – paired with Andres Perez de Lara, a talented road course racer in his own right, we like the strength of our lineup, and expect to be in contention for the win.”
And in NASCAR, that’s a big deal. Winning in all three series isn’t just a line on a resume, it proves a driver can adapt across the board. Each level demands something different, and only a handful have mastered them all.
That’s the opportunity sitting in front of the 36-year-old at Watkins Glen. Win at Glen and he will be the 42nd driver to win across all three divisions, part of an elite list which includes titans like Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Joey Logano etc.
