The three-time Supercars champion captured his first victory in the Xfinity Series last Saturday at Portland International Raceway, passing Justin Allgaier with three of 75 laps remaining and holding on for the win.
The victory locks van Gisbergen into the 2024 series playoffs in his rookie season. Until his win, he was struggling to stay in contention for a berth based on points.
“It’s been a pretty special nine to 10 months since we decided to do this, and yeah, pretty stoked to be now in the playoffs and back in Victory Lane again,” van Gisbergen said.
“It’s pretty special. Every week, you know we’re not running up front, but I’m having a lot of fun doing it anyway.”
Last July, van Gisbergen became the first driver in more than 60 years to win a Cup race in his debut when he took victory in the inaugural Chicago Street Race driving for Trackhouse Racing.
The victory served as the instigator for the 35-year-old Kiwi to move to NASCAR competition this season, where he is racing full-time in Xfinity and part-time in Cup, both with Kaulig Racing.
The goal is to prepare for a full-time move to the Cup Series with Trackhouse and van Gisbergen knows while Saturday’s win on the Portland road course was important, it’s his learning curve on ovals that needs improvement.
Outside of a blown engine at Las Vegas, van Gisbergen has ran competitively in the 11 races so far this season in Xfinity. He has a pair of top-10 finishes, including third at Atlanta. He has led just a single lap on an oval, however.
“I’m a long way from (winning on an oval) and I understand that, but it’s a process, you know. These guys have been doing it since they were kids whereas this stuff (road racing) I’ve been doing since I was a kid,” he said.
“So, I got a lot to learn on the ovals, but I’m going to keep getting better and keep focusing. Yeah, one day I want to win on an oval, but I know it’s probably a long way away, but I’m going to keep learning.
“That’s the next goal.”
In the meantime, van Gisbergen is still getting accustomed to the more physical nature of NASCAR racing, whether it be on short ovals or even road courses.
He owned up to his own mishap in the first turn of the first lap at Portland when he ran into leader Sam Mayer and sent him around. Twice later in the race, van Gisbergen went off course to avoid incidents but was able to continue.
“It’s just all these games. I’m still learning and figuring it out,” he said. “Going four-wide into Turn 1, it’s hard, you know. I’m on the conservative side and these people, they don't give a (expletive). They just send it in there and hope they come out the other side.
“So yeah, I’m still figuring out the American style.”
