Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, two NASCAR drivers, competed in a hilarious YouTube video called “whisper challenge” in which one wore noise-canceling headphones while the other recited a phrase. The object of the challenge was to get the one with the covered ears to guess what the word was. Among other terms, the video used “meme,” “boomer,” “rubbish,” and “chockablock.” Throughout the entire interaction, the Trackhouse Racing team laughed, particularly when the answers weren’t even close to being correct and Connor Zilisch called out one of SVG’s traits after hearing one word. It was “Chockablock,” says Shane van Gisbergen. “You speak so softly. The young driver added loudly, “You have to say it with your mouth open.”
In addition to being a member of the Trackhouse Racing team and serving as their development driver, Zilisch made his full-time season debut this year, driving the #88 vehicle for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. He also made his Cup Series debut earlier this season at the Circuit of the Americas, when he qualified in his kk no 14th place in the #87 car owned by naJustin jMarks. After dealing with a number of problems, including a collision with teammate Daniel Suarez that halted his race, he finished in 37th place. This year, Shane van Gisbergen also made his full-time début, competing in the Cup Series in the #88 ou I owned by the Trackhouse team. Coincidentally crossing the line to take sixth place, after qualifying in the position, SVG achieved his best result of the season at the COTA track.
The New Zealander has, aside from that, primarily qualified in 26th or lower over the past three months. His greatest conversion was in the Darlington Raceway event, where he started in 36th place but finished in 20th. In May, Zilisch will make his second Cup Series appearance at the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where these two drivers will once more share the track. At the race in Mexico City in June, Shane van Gisbergen will make his first Xfinity Series start of the year, this time for JR Motorsports.
The Trackhouse Racing team announces the return of Shane van Gisbergen’s sponsor
When he joined NASCAR last year, Shane brought with him SafetyCulture, a sponsor from his supercar racing days in Australia and New Zealand. In the race at the Daytona International Speedway in August of last year, they served as SVG’s main sponsor and associate partner for his four Xfinity Series entries as well as his Cup Series entry. This year, the brand has expanded its partnership, acting as a primary sponsor for his #88 car in the races at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Autodromo Hermanos Rodrigues in Mexico City, and the Pocono Raceway.
The Trackhouse Racing crew posted a little video showcasing Shane van Gisbergen’s car’s return to SafetyCulture colors in anticipation of this weekend’s Cup Series trip to Talladega. The ‘Jack’s Link 500’ Cup Series race at the Talladega track is scheduled for Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
