Van Gisbergen finds unlikely ally in former foe

It wasn't each that agelong agone Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin were sparring Down Under successful Supercars. Now the brace are agreed implicit 1 communal thread.

McLaughlin present races successful the United States successful the IndyCar Series portion NASCAR-bound van Gisbergen is astir assured to marque the determination crossed the Pacific successful 2024.

The two-time Bathurst 1000 victor is apt to vie successful the NASCAR Cup Series adjacent year, perchance part-time alongside a run successful the second-tier Xfinity Series oregon third-tier Truck Series.

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It has each travel disconnected the backmost of a superb NASCAR debut, winning connected the streets of Chicago.

Shane van Gisbergen (left) with Scott McLaughlin connected the Supercars podium. (Daniel Kalisz via Getty Images)

Ahead of his expected determination to the United States, van Gisbergen has been leaning connected McLaughlin for advice.

The 2019 Bathurst 1000 victor has been surviving State-side since helium went full-time successful the IndyCar Series successful 2021.

"He's been talking to maine a small spot astir what it's similar to unrecorded here, worldly similar that," said McLaughlin.

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"I don't cognize if it's authoritative yet. I deliberation his volition is that, if it each happens.

"It's awesome. I deliberation I've said a fig of times what I deliberation helium did astatine Chicago was awesome, awesome for New Zealand motorsport. 

"For him to beryllium here, I'm precise excited for him. Four years ago, we were banging doors successful Supercars. 

"It's crazy. Now we've some had a triumph successful America, which is awesome."

Shane Van Gisbergen, drives the No.91 Chevrolet Camaro during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series contention astatine the Chicago Street Course. (Chris Graythen via Getty Images)

In a week, McLaughlin and van Gisbergen volition contention connected the aforesaid play for the archetypal clip since the 2020 Bathurst 1000, which doubled arsenic the season-finale that year.

McLaughlin volition contention for Team Penske successful IndyCar portion van Gisbergen volition aviator the Project91 introduction retired of the Trackhouse Racing campy successful the Cup Series.

Van Gisbergen won't beryllium the lone Supercars prima racing, with Brodie Kostecki besides acceptable to marque his Cup Series debut for Richard Childress Racing.

"It's going to beryllium chill to contention connected the aforesaid weekend," said McLaughlin.

Scott McLaughlin claimed rod presumption connected the streets of Nashville. (Joe Skibinski via IndyCar)

"Brodie Kostecki from Australia is present arsenic well. Going to beryllium cool. Looking guardant to it.

"I'm going to spell location and ticker it from my sofa connected Sunday."

McLaughlin is besides readying connected attending van Gisbergen's competitory oval debut successful the Truck Series astatine Indianapolis Raceway Park connected August 12 (AEST).

McLaughlin's IndyCar Series play continues connected the streets of Nashville with the Music City Grand Prix connected Monday astatine 2am.

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