You know what time it is? It’s time to see which Kiwis are racing abroad this weekend!
Get ready for a whirlwind of motorsport action as Shane van Gisbergen tackles his first full-time NASCAR Cup Series race—the Daytona 500—at the demanding Daytona International Speedway this weekend.
What a stage for his debut. He’s already showcased his capabilities, competing in the Non-Championship Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium earlier this month, where he impressed, finishing third in his 25-lap Heat Race and ninth in the 200-lap Clash.
This weekend presents a massive challenge though, with his first start as a full-time NASCAR Cup driver in one of the year’s most difficult races.
Single-car qualifying for the event has already taken place, with Van Gisbergen finishing 30th, giving him a 15th-place start for his 60-lap Duel race.
Van Gisbergen’s Duel race finish will determine his starting position for Monday morning’s Daytona 500; with one Duel determining the inside row, the other the outside row. The Duel races are scheduled for 1 pm and 2:45 pm today NZT, followed by two more practice sessions, before the 67th running of the Daytona 500 begins at 8:30 am Monday morning.
Also racing this weekend is the Jaguar TCS Racing pair of Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy, who line up for Rounds three and four of the 2024/25 Formula E World Championship at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.
This marks the series’ debut at the Jeddah circuit, the same venue used for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, although Formula E will use a shortened 3km version of the circuit.
The Jaguar TCS Racing team hasn’t had the ideal start to the season. While Evans secured a spectacular win in the São Paulo season opener, he unfortunately crashed out of Round two in Mexico City following contact with Nico Müller’s Andretti.
Cassidy, meanwhile, has had a disappointing season so far. He was involved in a frightening crash in Brazil with Pascal Wehrlein and Maximilian Guenther, then had a poor qualifying session in Mexico, starting last and finishing in 12th.
Despite his retirement in the last race, Evans sits second in the Drivers’ Standings, just 12 points behind António Félix da Costa.
Cassidy, after two difficult rounds, is 19th, yet to score a point this season. He’ll be hoping for a change in fortunes this weekend.
The opening qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian double-header begins at 1:20 am tomorrow morning, followed by the first race at 6:05 am NZT on Saturday.
Finally, three Kiwis will be competing in the season finale of the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series at Yas Marina Circuit for the final two 4 Hour races of the season.
Chris van der Drift will return to action in the #23 Ferrari 296 GT3, teaming up with Carl Bennett and Gregory Bennett. Meanwhile, Jono Lester and René Heremana Malmezac will join forces in the #42 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2, alongside Australian Nick Foster.
The first qualifying session is set to begin at 7:50 PM on Friday, with the opening 4 Hour race kicking off at midnight that night. The second and final race of the weekend will take place at midnight on Saturday.
Weekend Schedule (NZ Time):
Friday:
1:00 pm – NASCAR Cup Duel 1 at Daytona
2:45 pm – NASCAR Cup Duel 2 at Daytona
7:50 pm – Asian Le Mans Series Qualifying 1
11:00 pm – Formula E Practice 2
12:00 pm – Asian Le Mans Series Race 1
Saturday:
1:20 am – Formula E Qualifying 1
6:05 am – Formula E Race 1
11:35 am – NASCAR Cup Practice 2
7:50 pm – Asian Le Mans Series Qualifying 2
11:00 pm – Formula E Practice 3
12:00 pm – Asian Le Mans Series Race 2
Sunday:
1:20 am – Formula E Qualifying 2
6:05 am – Formula E Race 2
9:05 am – NASCAR Cup Practice 3
Monday:
8:30 am – NASCAR Cup Daytona 500
To follow the NASCAR Cup action, you’ll be able to watch it live and free on ThreeNow (races only). For Formula E, coverage will be on SkySport, and to follow the Asian Le Mans Series action, you will be able to watch the races live and free on YouTube on the Asian Le Mans Series channel.
Header Image: Shane van Gisbergen Facebook
