Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 31 OCTOBER – 3 NOVEMBER WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁

Shane van Gisbergen returns to the U.S. for the final round of the NASCAR Cup Series, aiming to finish the year on a high with Trackhouse Racing. After a strong campaign across short tracks and superspeedways, the New Zealander heads into the desert showdown ready to tackle one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues.

Back on home soil, the Hampton Downs International event promises a full weekend of high-octane racing. An array of Kiwi and international competitors will take to the track, including entries from the GT World Challenge Australia Series and the Monochrome GT4 Australia Series, who have crossed the ditch for their championship finales.

In addition, a host of New Zealand’s premier categories kick off the 2025/26 season at Hampton Downs, including the NZ Toyota GR86 Championship, NZ TA2 Championship, GT New Zealand Championship, NZ Porsche Championship, and the Central Muscle Cars Championship. Fans can expect a thrilling mix of local and international talent across multiple classes, delivering action-packed racing from start to finish. You can find all the information on Round 1 of the NZ Next Gen Championship HERE

From Phoenix Raceway to Hampton Downs, Kiwi drivers will once again showcase their skill and determination on motorsport’s biggest stages this weekend.

Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️

Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series

• Where? Phoenix Raceway, Arizona, U.S.
• NZ Times:
  • Practice: Saturday 10:35 AM
  • Qualifying: Sunday 10:00 AM
  • Race: Monday 9:00 AM
    
• How to Watch? ThreeNow

Shane van Gisbergen delivered a determined performance at Martinsville Speedway, finishing 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 as he continues to adapt to full-time Cup Series racing.

Starting 22nd on the notoriously tight half-mile track, the Trackhouse Racing driver steadily worked his way forward, showing strong pace and composure in a demanding short-track environment.

Van Gisbergen’s weekend began positively. He finished 12th in Stage 1 and climbed to eighth by the end of Stage 2, looking well-positioned for a strong result. However, cooler evening temperatures in the final stage made life difficult.

His No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro struggled for rear grip and drive off the corners, making it hard to maintain momentum on restarts. Once his tyres came up to temperature, Van Gisbergen’s lap times matched the leaders, but the deficit was already too large to move further up the field.

“Good job, guys,” Van Gisbergen told his crew after the race. “Our cars are getting better, and you guys are getting me through it… I feel like this result should have been better, but that’s all right.”

While Van Gisbergen focused on steady progress, the spotlight belonged to William Byron, who dominated the race to secure a Championship 4 spot at Phoenix Raceway.

Leading 304 of 500 laps and sweeping the first two stages, Byron held off Ryan Blaney in a decisive late-race move to claim victory. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe complete the four-driver field for the season finale.

For Van Gisbergen, Martinsville was another valuable learning experience. Despite finishing outside the top ten, the Kiwi demonstrated consistency, patience, and an increasing comfort with NASCAR’s short-track challenges.

➡️ Martinsville Speedway Recap

With the Cup Series finale at Phoenix Raceway just around the corner, Van Gisbergen heads west looking to continue his progress and build on the momentum he has gained throughout the season.

Header Image: NASCAR/Getty Images