Shane van Gisbergen flips for first time in racing career in Sprintcar race
Shane van Gisbergen had a first in his accomplished racing career on Saturday — though one not very enjoyable for most race car drivers.
van Gisbergen, piloting the #97A United Truck Parts Sprintcar while competing in a Sprintcar heat race at Baypark Speedway in Tauranga, New Zealand, flipped after colliding with Ayrton Hodgson in the #28M car in Turn 1. The New Zealand native revealed Sunday on X that he had never flipped before during his motorsports career.
“Well that was my first ever flip! Unfortunately got collected by someone and took a bit of a ride. Thanks to the safety crew for doing an amazing job,” van Gisbergen wrote. “The United Truck Parts team are having at rebuilding the car and we should be racing tonight at Baypark again.”
Shane van Gisbergen competing full-time in Cup Series in 2025
The 35-year-old is back in home country with the NASCAR offseason well underway. When he returns to the states, he will embark on his first full-time season in the Cup Series. van Gisbergen is set to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, which expanded to three full-time cars for the 2025 campaign.
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van Gisbergen, who took the checkered flag at the Chicago Street Race in his Cup Series debut in July 2023, drove the No. 97 car for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series this past season. He picked up three victories (Portland, Sonoma, Chicago) and finished 12th in the points standings. van Gisbergen made 12 starts in Cup, finishing runner-up to Chris Buescher at Watkins Glen.
He will soon go head-to-head with NASCAR’s best for 36 races next season.
“This is what I have planned for, and I am ready,” van Gisbergen said in August. “I know there is a tough learning curve ahead, but the best way to learn is to go out and do it. I feel I have made progress running the Xfinity Series this year with Kaulig Racing and I can’t thank everyone there enough, I look forward to the Cup Series. Those drivers and teams are the best in the world, and it will be an honor to be part of their races.”