The NASCAR world is buzzing with anticipation as Shane van Gisbergen is set to return for his second appearance in the Cup Series. After a triumphant debut in Chicago, where he clinched victory in Trackhouse Racing’s #91 Chevrolet Project91 entry, Shane van Gisbergen has now shifted his focus to the Indianapolis Road Course race. The three-time Supercars Champion recently had a conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr on his famous podcast, The Dale Jr. Download.

Among other things, the conversation turned to his affiliation with Red Bull and the team’s potential comeback to NASCAR. A seasoned Red Bull athlete since 2016, SVG shared insights on his relationship with the energy drink giant.

Shane van Gisbergen’s outlook on Red Bull and NASCAR

Red Bull’s foray into NASCAR in the past saw both triumphs and challenges. While the team secured 10 pole positions and 2 victories in their six-year NASCAR journey, their departure in 2011 marked a turning point. SVG’s optimism stems from the limited success Red Bull experienced in NASCAR and the allure of their return. Dale Jr was the one to bring Red Bull into the conversation.

“So, you’re a Red Bull athlete. How long have you been a Red Bull athlete?” asked Dale Jr.

“Since 2016, when I joined my current team,” SVG replied.

“And what would happen to that relationship?” Dale Jr asked curiously.

“I don’t know. We haven’t got there yet,” SVG continued. “But it would be awesome to have them come over here and get back into NASCAR side of things. Like they had some success in NASCAR. Yeah, they haven’t been here for a few years and, hopefully, after Chicago, that entices them a bit. Maybe next year, I am doing a whole bunch of cool stuff and yeah hopefully they come aboard. We’ll see.”

READ MORE: “Are They Gonna Come Back?”- Kenny Wallace Claims 3-Time Supercars Champ’s Unimaginable NASCAR Feat Could Trigger Red Bull’s Return

Shane van Gisbergen’s second NASCAR appearance is upon us, and the excitement is palpable. However, he knows that the upcoming race at Indianapolis will be nothing like what he experienced in Chicago, which was, after all, a new track for every driver in NASCAR.

SVG opens up on his approach to the Indianapolis Road Course Race

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Unlike Chicago’s street course, the Indianapolis Road Course presents a unique challenge for SVG. With intentions to participate in a full-time NASCAR schedule in 2024, SVG is poised to take on not one, but two races this weekend—the Truck Series race on the oval at Indianapolis Raceway Park and the Cup race on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

SVG’s candid reflection reveals his anticipation and readiness for this different kind of race. “It’s a lot of unknowns,” van Gisbergen told motorsport.com, adding, “You can do as much sim time as you want but there’s only 20 minutes of practice this time. It’s going to be difficult, not many laps. Only one set of tires (in practice). Hopefully, I’m building up, getting better, and getting a decent qualifying spot, stay out of trouble when the race starts.”

He continued to talk about how this will be a completely different experience for him, saying “The race is long enough, hopefully, I’ll be picking it up and running pretty good by the end of the race. How I’m going to fit in pace-wise—I have no idea. It’s a track this time that everyone knows, and I’ll have to go through the double-file restarts this time. The spot has changed where the restarts are this week, but it still looks crazy. You’re still going to arrive into Turn 1 in a massive pack of cars. I don’t really know how to be in those situations, but I guess I’ll have to learn on the fly.”

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The prospect of Red Bull’s return to NASCAR, coupled with SVG’s willingness to embrace new challenges, adds an air of excitement to the racing scene. As SVG gears up for another exhilarating NASCAR experience, fans and enthusiasts eagerly await what promises to be an exciting race.