SVG Lets Slip Indy 500 Desire as the Kiwi Eyes Kyle Larson and Former Supercars Rival’s Career Path

Published 03/16/2024, 11:14 AM EDT

One may be accustomed to the stories with the tropes of friends turning foes. However, it is not every day that one comes across storylines that state the opposite but fret not, NASCAR is serving this trope and is fresh from the oven. One might be wondering who the entities might be involved in this narrative. Well, it is none other than the rookie of the Xfinity Series, who crossed the Pacific to start a life in the world of stock car racing, Shane van Gisbergen. While the other driver in question is none other than his former rival in Supercars, Scott McLaughlin.

Both hailing from down South had sparred against each other in fierce battles while vying for victories. However, with both the drivers wandering from their initial path and finding roots in another country in two different racing series, the dynamics shared between the two drivers seemed to have undergone a transformation. Shane van Gisbergen, who is still in his rookie season, already seems to harbor greater ambitions as he expressed a wish to carry out a similar feat to Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and his former rival McLaughlin.

Shane van Gisbergen spills the beans of recreating the rivalry with his former Supercar rival

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Shane van Gisbergen had already sent ripples across the NASCAR world and made headlines by notching a victory in the inaugural street race at Chicago. Since then, the NASCAR community was left speculating whether the 3x Supercars champion would find a career in NASCAR. It was not long till SVG finally announced the much-awaited news of him joining NASCAR. However, it was not just SVG that found a home on American soil but also his longtime rival Scott McLaughlin, who was enticed by the world of open-wheel racing and now competes in the IndyCar for Team Penske.

The world of IndyCar has more often than not enthralled NASCAR drivers. Whether it was Tony Stewart or AJ Allmendinger, these drivers have proved that it is skills that speak the most, and a change of cars hardly makes up for an excuse. Following this long-standing tradition of driver crossover, Kyle Larson is set to make a debut in the Indy 500, with the collaboration of Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports.

SVG talked about how McLaughlin has been creating waves at IndyCar and how he looks forward to doing the same. Conversing with Kevin Harvick on his podcast ‘Happy Hours’, the rookie stated, “We’re friends again now that we’re not trying to beat each other every weekend.” He added, “We had an awesome time. I think it was 2017 to 2020, we had some great races and he ended up winning three championships. He was awesome, like a really, really good racer. I’d love to try the Indy cars and try the Indy 500 eventually, but what he’s done and how he’s come over – and I think it’s his third season he’s about to start – he’s going really well.”

SVG further said, “It’s cool to follow his progress. When I did the race here, Chicago last year, he (McLaughlin) was one of the most excited guys blowing up my phone asking me about it all, how was it. With that tie-in now with Penske and their NASCAR team, I think he’s pretty tempted to try it. It would be cool to see how he would go.”

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Trackhouse Racing rookie recalls his biggest miss in Supercars career

Shane van Gisbergesn seems to have buried his past rivalry with Scott McLaughlin and has forged a new bond with the former Supercars champion. However, certain regrets keep on looming and SVG is also a victim of one such incident, where he accepted his defeat to McLaughlin. Yet, the Trackhouse Racing driver does not let the regrets run too deep. Recalling his nail-biting fight with McLaughlin during the 2019 Bathurst 1000, SVG said it continues to be one of his fondest memories.

Speaking to Harvick, van Gisbergen expressed, “Unfortunately, it was probably when I came second to him. Bathurst, 2019, we raced at the end and I was just really trying to be as close as I could to him. The laps we were doing were just quali laps, so close to the wall, just flat out the whole time. Coming second sucked, but how on the limit we were pushing, it was a pretty cool feeling. I loved that.”

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Nevertheless, with Shane van Gisbergen stating his aspirations to race in the Indy 500, it will be interesting to see if his team owner Justin Marks is able to fulfill the dreams of his driver and gift the racing community with a unique spectacle.

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Written by:

Ayantika Maitra is a NASCAR Content Analyst at EssentiallySports. Using her affinity for research and storytelling, this English major has also woven some attention-grabbing pieces that have brought the women in NASCAR into the limelight. An expert in identifying trends and understanding audience behavior, she loves taking part in core sport reporting.

Edited by:

Shreya Singh

SVG Lets Slip Indy 500 Desire as the Kiwi Eyes Kyle Larson and Former Supercars Rival’s Career Path

Shane van Gisbergen spills the beans of recreating the rivalry with his former Supercar rival

Trackhouse Racing rookie recalls his biggest miss in Supercars career

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