Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing have announced a partnership to field New Zealand native Shane van Gisbergen in the No. 97 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024. The three-time Supercars champion is set to make the transition to stock cars, in addition to running select Cup Series events.

Van Gisbergen, who made his NASCAR debut in July, impressed with a victory at the inaugural Cup Series event in Chicago. This triumph fueled his desire to pursue a full-time career in NASCAR. The announcement of his participation in the Xfinity Series marks a significant milestone in his racing journey.

Expressing his excitement, van Gisbergen stated, "I could not stop thinking about racing full-time in NASCAR after my win in Chicago. I am still stunned at how quickly this has all come together. I must thank the NASCAR industry and fans for embracing me and allowing me to chase this dream. I am ready to put in the same effort as every driver who has made it to the Cup Series. I am anxious to get started."

The six Cup Series races van Gisbergen will compete in 2024 will be split between road courses, superspeedways, and intermediates, showcasing his versatility as a driver. His campaign will kick off at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, followed by appearances at Talladega Superspeedway on April 21, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, a return to the Chicago street course on July 7, Watkins Glen on September 15, and finally, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 20.

As part of Kaulig Racing's Xfinity Series team, van Gisbergen will have the opportunity to learn from experienced teammates AJ Allmendinger and Josh Williams. Kaulig Racing, a successful team in the Xfinity Series, clinched four victories last season, highlighting their potential to support van Gisbergen's aspirations.

Van Gisbergen's Xfinity Series and Cup Series efforts will be sponsored primarily by WeatherTech. This support from sponsors and the collaboration between Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing contributed to the decision to bring van Gisbergen on board for a full-season run.

Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing, commented on the journey that led to this partnership, stating, "We started our talks with Trackhouse about the possibility of putting SVG in an Xfinity car for a few races quite some time ago, and from there, the talks evolved to discussions about how much it would cost to run a full season. Once we knew we had an open seat for next season, it became the perfect scenario to put him in the car. We partner with Trackhouse's pit crew department, and with their key support from Chevrolet, it made teaming up an easy decision."

The anticipation surrounding van Gisbergen's upcoming season is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting his debut in the Xfinity Series and the select Cup Series races. With his notable success in Supercars and his impressive performances in his NASCAR debut, van Gisbergen has proven himself to be a formidable competitor, ready to make his mark in the world of NASCAR.