Devastating News!!! Quite Rude”: Shane van Gisbergen Reveals NASCAR Habit He’d Rather Not Get Used To…

**“Quite Rude”: Shane van Gisbergen Reveals NASCAR Habit He’d Rather Not Get Used To*

 

*July 7, 2025 — NASCAR Garage*

 

New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen has never been one to hold back his thoughts, and once again the three-time Supercars champion turned NASCAR Cup Series driver has made headlines — this time by candidly admitting there’s one particular NASCAR racing habit that he finds “quite rude” and is struggling to adapt to.

 

In a recent interview following the Chicago Street Race, van Gisbergen opened up about his transition into the high-intensity, rough-and-tumble world of American stock car racing. While the Kiwi driver has enjoyed success — even becoming the first driver in over 60 years to win a Cup Series race on debut — not everything about NASCAR culture has sat comfortably with him.

 

### The Bumper Culture: A Shock to the System

 

Van Gisbergen specifically took issue with the aggressive bumping and nudging that has become commonplace in NASCAR — even at high speeds.

 

> “It’s quite rude, honestly,” van Gisbergen told reporters. “You’ll be racing hard, side by side, and someone just shoves you out of the way like it’s nothing. In Supercars, there’s a respect that you don’t just turn someone around. Here, it seems like if you’re in the way, they’ll move you. It’s just how they race — but it doesn’t sit right with me.”

 

The 35-year-old emphasized that while he’s not against tough racing, the willingness of some drivers to use their front bumpers so freely — particularly late in races — feels unnecessarily disrespectful. “It’s not that I expect people to roll over,” he said. “But in NASCAR, sometimes it feels more like bumper cars than a sport where precision and mutual respect matter.”

 

### Culture Clash: From Supercars to NASCAR

 

Van Gisbergen’s criticism highlights the cultural divide between different forms of motorsport. In Supercars, contact is heavily policed, and “rubbing” — especially causing spins — often leads to penalties. In NASCAR, however, contact is almost an expectation, especially on short tracks and road courses where real estate is limited and aggression can be the difference between finishing fifth or fifteenth.

 

Since transitioning full-time into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 with Trackhouse Racing, van Gisbergen has had to adjust to the very different racing etiquette in the U.S. While his car control, adaptability, and road course skillset have impressed fans and competitors alike, he continues to voice his concerns over what he sees as an unnecessarily combative style of racing.

 

### Mixed Reactions from the NASCAR Community

 

His remarks have sparked mixed reactions across the NASCAR paddock and fan base. Some drivers, including veterans like Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, have defended the contact-heavy style, saying that it’s simply part of what makes NASCAR “unique and entertaining.”

 

“Everyone’s got to adapt,” Logano said. “We’ve all had to learn it the hard way — you give a little, you take a little. Shane’s a talented guy, but this is NASCAR, not Supercars.”

 

Fans on social media have been equally divided. While some applauded van Gisbergen’s honesty and desire for cleaner racing, others accused him of trying to “soften” a sport that thrives on intensity and physicality.

 

### Van Gisbergen: Still Committed, But Not Convinced

 

Despite his frustrations, van Gisbergen remains committed to his NASCAR journey. He reiterated that he’s enjoying the challenge, the tracks, and the fans — even if some aspects of the racing style still don’t sit well with him.

 

“I’m not here to change the sport,” he said. “I’m just being honest about what I see and feel. Maybe over time I’ll get used to it — or maybe not. Either way, I’m here to race hard, do my best, and try to earn respect my own way.”

 

As NASCAR continues to attract international talent and expand its global profile, voices like van Gisbergen’s may signal a broader discussion about racing ethics and where the line between hard and harmful should be drawn.

 

For now, the Kiwi will continue to adapt — bumper taps and all — as he chases success in a world where respect is often earned the hard way.