“Sad to see this place like this”: Shane van Gisbergen makes heartfelt remark after witnessing the condition of his hometown track 

Shane van Gisbergen made a saddening remark upon witnessing his hometown track in neglected condition. The New Zealander returned to his nation amid NASCAR's off-season and had fun at the recent Sprintcar event, but seeing the track displeased him.

In 2023, SVG began his NASCAR career as a part-time driver at the Chicago Street Course Cup Series race. He won his debut race and rose through the ranks, securing a full-time Xfinity seat for the 2024 season with Kaulig Racing, and the 2025 Cup Series campaign with Trackhouse Racing.

But before the 35-year-old kicked off the Premier level racing in full swing, he revisited New Zealand for Sprintcar racing. He won a heat race and placed his #97 United Truck Parts car third in the feature, at the Western Springs Speedway.

However, the allure of revisiting his hometown was tarnished after he witnessed an abandoned track, with no human being in plain sight. He had made many memories there, and the reality didn't seem to sit well with the 35-year-old.

"Sad to see this place like this. So many good memories here," van Gisbergen wrote.

SVG didn't mention which track he was sad to see but the fans identified it as Pukekohe Raceway.

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"Awesome night at such a great place": Shane van Gisbergen content after his return to sprint car racing

Shane van Gisbergen started piloting sprint cars in 2022 but since he moved to the United States to pursue his NASCAR career, he sidelined the other motorsport discipline for some time. But the offseason brought the perfect opportunity for him to fly back to New Zealand and compete in a sprint car event.

SVG struggled but managed to produce satisfactory results during the eventful night. He climbed from seventh to third, missing the mark against the winner Jonathan Allard, and the runner-up Michael Pickens. It paved the way for a front-row start in the feature and he caused an upset by defeating Allard to win the race. SVG posted the third-fastest lap of the race at 14.564 seconds, a mere 0.001 seconds less than Allard.

"Awesome first night in the sprint car at the springs. Got 2nd in the first heat crashing across the line going for it and it was awesome everyone coming together to get us back out for the 2nd heat. Started pole for the feature and faded back to 3rd. Awesome night at such a great place to race. See ya’s on boxing night," Shane van Gisbergen wrote.

SVG quickly rose to success in NASCAR, acing his debut race and a tenth-place effort at the following Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course race. His surge impressed Matt Kaulig, prompting him to sign the driver for the 2023 season.

The New Zealander didn't disappoint, scoring three wins in his rookie season and wrapping the year in 12th place. Shane van Gisbergen will race alongside Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain.