SUPERCARS champions Marcos Ambrose and Craig Lowndes have tipped Shane van Gisbergen to thrive in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Van Gisbergen’s one-off deal with Trackhouse Racing was confirmed this morning, with the Kiwi to appear in the category’s maiden event on the Chicago Street Course in early July.
Ambrose was the last Supercars star to dive into the world of NASCAR, going on to win races in 2011 and 2012; he described the outing in Trackhouse’s Project91 car as a “fantastic opportunity” for van Gisbergen.
“He’s one of the best that’s come out of Supercars, his results have proved that,” he told V8 Sleuth.
“I’m sure he is going to have a great experience over there, he is going to really enjoy it and I wish him the best of success.
“It’s changed a lot since I was there, it’s more international than it ever has been as far as these guys coming in and out, like Jenson Button, so I think it’s a bit easier for the guys to come in for one or two races than it used to be.
“That being said, just results make the difference: if you’re fast, you get respect; if you’re not fast, they’ll get you out of the way in a hurry.
“I’m sure Shane is going to adapt really well. Those cars are gnarly to drive but he’s used to driving difficult race cars.”
While the fact none of his rivals have prior experience at Chicago is an equaliser, Ambrose noted it will be a tough challenge.
“A street race, NASCAR intensity, long race formats, lots of pitstops – it’s going to be a tough day,” he said.
“But that’s what race car drivers are looking for, the good ones, they want it to be difficult. They don’t want it easy and they want to earn it.
“For me, if I was in his shoes, I’d be looking to finish the race first.
“You have got to protect your car at a track like that and NASCAR drivers, they use their gear up, they don’t hesitate to run into each other and be very forceful on passes and do bump-and-runs.
“The racing protocol is different over there so he is going to have to adapt quickly but I’m sure he can do it.”
Lowndes backed van Gisbergen to succeed.
“I think he’ll go well, there’s no doubt about that,” Lowndes told V8 Sleuth.
“He adapts very well to whether it’s drifting, rally, Supercars.
“It will be great for him to experience something different and also to get out of this world and test himself.”
The seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner believes van Gisbergen’s cameo will be good for Supercars as a whole.
“It’s massive. It’s no different to when Marcos did it and you have got Scotty McLaughlin who has gone over and done the IndyCar side of it,” said Lowndes.
“It’s great for Supercars to have a driver of his calibre go across to the other side of the world and show what we have here in our backyard.
“It’s a credit to him, it’s a big move, like it’s something that he has got passion to do.”