If you thought Shane van Gisbergen was all serious business in his debut NASCAR Cup Series season, think again.
The Kiwi wheelman jumped on The Rock’s Morning Rumble yesterday, and in just six minutes managed to cover everything from racing ovals at 300km/h to why Marmite is “vomit in a can.”
SVG, who’s been busy giving America’s best a run for their money on both ovals and road courses as of late, was quizzed by Bryce, Rog, Mulls, and Mel about his whirlwind rookie season.
Roger Farrelly got things started with the classic question: Did Shane really think it would go this well?
“Oh, I don’t know, you always hope for it,” SVG admitted.
“It’s been very challenging, especially at the start trying to learn, but we’ve been getting better most weeks lately, and enjoying it too.”
Classic understated Shane – Translation: ‘I’ve been flying, but I’m too polite to say it out loud’.
Referring to his latest road course victories and oval successes, such as leading laps at Daytona last weekend, finishing 14th at Richmond Raceway and winning Rookie of the Year in his debut season in the Cup Series.
Mulls pressed further on what it’s actually like to jump between ovals and road courses, and SVG gave us a real racecar driver insight:
“You’re doing near 300km/hr into these corners, and you’re surrounded by 35 other dudes (and gals)… there’s no downforce left, there’s no air left, and you’re just shipping it into a corner hoping the banking holds you. It’s like nothing I’ve ever done before.”
So, basically: NASCAR is Mario Kart on steroids, except the banana peels are replaced by 35 full-sized stock cars trying to punt you into the wall at 300km/h
Then things took a turn in the “quickfire” round, starting with a question inspired by UFC fighter Dan Hooker: who would win a one-minute scrap in NASCAR?
SVG didn’t hesitate when asked who’d win a one-minute scrap:
“There were a couple of guys I had moments with last year. Like Austin Hill, he’s a big dude, we’d probably be alright.”
For those who missed it, that’s a reference to Sonoma 2024, where SVG beat Hill in a tense race, celebrated with a burnout right beside him, and got rewarded with the classic one-finger salute out the window.
Next came one of the most important questions of our time: Is it acceptable for an adult man to borrow his mate’s underwear?
“I’d free-ball,” SVG replied without missing a beat.
NASCAR, Supercars, Daytona, nothing fazes him. But communal undies? Absolutely not.
Things took a controversial turn when Casey asked about the food Shane was forced to eat as a kid, but really disliked.
“Marmite,” SVG said while laughing.
“My mum liked Marmite, but it is vomit in a can, terrible stuff.”
Cue gasps across the nation. Rog followed up by asking about Vegemite, only for SVG to double down and declare that was even worse!
The interview wrapped up with Bryce cheekily asking if he and Shane could race and “shake and bake” together when SVG returns home.
“Yeah, sure, don’t invite Roger though, I’ve seen how that goes,” SVG laughed, a playful jab at Farrelly’s now-infamous moment at Hampton Downs, where he binned a Mazda RX-7 while filming a Moto Hub segment with Mike Dawes.
And just like that, six minutes of gold were over. From oval racing at 300 clicks, to dissing two generations of yeast spreads, to confirming he’d go commando before he’d share undies — Shane van Gisbergen is officially the most relatable, Kiwi NASCAR driver on earth. Listen to the full interview HERE
Header Image: James Gilbert/Getty Images
