Kiwi motorsport ace Shane van Gisbergen has confirmed a move to NASCAR with Trackhouse Racing Team next year.
The two-time defending Australian Supercars champion has hinted at such a move, since he stunned the world by winning his US debut on the streets of Chicago in July.
He returned to Indianapolis last month to finish 10th and signalled he was discussing his future on the circuit. Van Gisbergen has now confirmed that move on social media.
"Off to [US flag] next year," he tweeted. "Huge opportunity for me and so thankful to Justin Marks and the Team Trackhous family for giving me a shot in NASCAR.
"Can't wait to get over there."
Team Trackhouse immediately responded: "Welcome to America, mate!"
Van Gisbergen currently sits second in the Supercars championship, but is losing ground to leader Brodie Kostecki and has expressed frustration with the new Gen 3 cars used for the first time in 2023.
After his Indianapolis comments, his Triple Eight Race Engineering team have already signed Will Brown as his replacement next season, pre-empting his US move.
"We're closer, but I haven't closed anything out," he said at Indianapolis. "I really have to sort Australia first, but that's looking promising, and then coming up with something here.
"Hopefully, I'll move over soon."
That deal is now done. Van Gibsergen will race a combination of NASCAR Series race, second-tier Xfinity events and Craftsman Truck series.
"This announcement means so many things to me," he said. "I'm proud of what I have achieved here in Australia, but I'm excited by this new chapter in my career and the opportunities that it brings.
"I’m so thankful to everyone who has played a role in my career so far, especially Triple Eight Race Engineering, and looking forward to finishing our year with a few more highlights. It is time for a new challenge, and this adventure into NASCAR will be the biggest challenge of my career and one I’m really looking forward to."
Trackhouse owner Marks warns his new driver will take time to adapt.
"Next year will be about getting him acclimated to oval-track racing, superspeedways, 1.5-mile tracks and everything he has never experienced in his career," he said. "It’s obviously going to be a learning process, but we think Shane will perform quite well."
