Shane van Gisbergen says his forthcoming NASCAR Cup Series debut has "sparked" his interest in racing more frequently stateside in stock cars or Indy cars.
The three-time Supercars champion is set to contest the inaugural Chicago street race on July 3 as part of a one-off appearance with Trackhouse Racing.
It's his first appearance in the United States since 2017 when he last contested the 24 Hours of Daytona.
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The two-time Bathurst 1000 winner is something of a racing allrounder, considered to be among the quickest drivers the world over no matter the machinery.
Expectations among fans and pundits are high considering van Gisbergen's calibre, his adaptability, and given the track is new to everyone – creating something of a level playing field.
If all goes well, then doors might open for the Kiwi to make a permanent switch to the United States.
In a Q&A issued by Trackhouse Racing, van Gisbergen was asked; is this something that if it goes well, you'd come to America and race? – whether it's NASCAR or IndyCar.
"I think all of the above," said van Gisbergen.
"It was a pretty exciting opportunity. I love Supercars and what I'm doing now, but starting to speak to Justin (Marks, team owner) about it last year and this year obviously sparked my interest in doing other things.
"I really just want to see how it goes. I haven't been to America since before COVID time, so to be able to travel now and experience things again – yeah, we'll see how it goes and maybe it will lead to more."
The question coming from the team is somewhat peculiar and it comes at a time when van Gisbergen is unhappy with the new-for-2023 Gen3-spec Supercars.
The Kiwi has been outspoken in his disdain for the cars, despite his team – Triple Eight Race Engineering – being responsible in part for the development of them.
https://twitter.com/shanevg97/status/1673450193805533184
That has raised some eyebrows and rumours have floated through the Supercars paddock that van Gisbergen might be on the move. That's despite the team having him contracted through to 2024.
It has been widely reported van Gisbergen has an option to leave Triple Eight in 2025 if overseas opportunities are forthcoming.
It's not inconceivable that he would ditch Supercars. He's already won multiple championships and taken two Bathurst 1000 wins, achieving everything he can.
He only fanned those flames when he revealed his desire to have a crack on an oval while watching the most recent round of the series in Nashville.
If a full-time move to NASCAR or IndyCar does come to pass, van Gisbergen would be the latest of several Supercars drivers to make such a switch.
Marcos Ambrose is the most high-profile driver to go stateside, ditching Supercars after winning back-to-back titles to race in the top three tiers.
Ambrose was famous for his road course ability, twice winning Cup Series races at Watkins Glen.
More recently, three-time Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin made the move to IndyCar where he has raced with world-renowned outfit Team Penske.
Despite having no significant open-wheel racing experience, McLaughlin has four wins to his name and last year finished fourth in the drivers' championship in only his second season.
Van Gisbergen and McLaughlin met up while the pair are both in the United States ahead of the upcoming IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio.
The NASCAR Cup Series races takes place on Monday after the eight IndyCar race of the season, which is live, ad-free, and exclusively on Stan Sport from 3:30am (AEST).
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