Shane VanGisbergen has become one of the most talked-about drivers in world motorsport. Known simply as SVG, the Kiwi ace has shown time and time again that no matter the car, no matter the circuit, he can rise to the challenge and win.

His biggest statement came on the streets of Chicago. In 2023, VanGisbergen shocked NASCAR by winning on debut in the series’ first-ever Chicago Street Race — a feat that hadn’t been achieved in over 60 years. Some thought it was a fluke. But SVG silenced the doubters in 2024, returning to Chicago and pulling off the unthinkable: back-to-back victories. Two years, two wins, one city — proof that he’s not just competitive, he’s redefining what a Kiwi driver can achieve on the global stage.

And Chicago is just part of the story. From NASCAR road courses to ovals and endurance events, VanGisbergen has shown incredible versatility, adapting to new formats and new competition with the same fearless approach that made him a three-time Supercars champion. In America, he’s earned respect as that Kiwi who can drive anything. At home, he remains SVG — the racer who makes New Zealand proud every time he takes the track.

Last Christmas, Kiwi fans got a rare treat when VanGisbergen traded the skyscrapers of Chicago for the clay of Baypark Speedway. Climbing into a 900-horsepower Sprintcar, he brought his trademark aggression and precision to the dirt, thrilling a packed Tauranga crowd. For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — seeing a world-class star mixing it with Baypark’s best under the stadium lights.

While nothing has yet been confirmed for this summer, the memory of SVG’s Baypark appearance is still fresh. It showed his willingness to embrace all forms of racing, and his connection to Kiwi fans who follow his career around the globe.

Whether it’s back-to-back street victories in the U.S. or swapping asphalt for clay in front of a home crowd, Shane VanGisbergen continues to prove why he’s one of the most versatile and exciting drivers in modern motorsport. From the streets of Chicago to the oval at Baypark, SVG is a racer who simply loves to race.

Photos: Blissful Photography

Cover Photo: Colin Smith