Three-time Supercar champion and NASCAR’s only undefeated driver Shane van Gisbergen will make his NASCAR Cup Series return Sunday driving the No. 91 Enhance Health Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

The Indy race comes just 42 days after the 34 year-old Auckland, New Zealand native became a star in American motorsports by winning the inaugural Chicago Street race in his first ever NASCAR start. 

“This whole NASCAR experience has been a dream come true,” van Gisbergen said recalling the rainy Chicago race that propelled him to a household name in American motorsports.

“I can’t wait to get to America then Indy. It will certainly be different than the Chicago Street Course. I’ll need to get up to speed quickly, but we plan a lot of simulator time and I know (No. 91 Crew Chief) Darian (Grubb) will be thoroughly prepared for Indy.”

He said he plans to compete the same way he did in Chicago, driving hard while also cognizant that several NASCAR regulars will be racing to secure playoff berths with just three races remaining in the Cup Series regular season. 

“We have got to come in and do our best, but you also have got to race with respect as well,” said van Gisbergen. “These guys are fighting for their championship every week, so I have got to come in and stay out of trouble.”

Van Gisbergen won’t be the only new face in the field at Indianapolis. 

Australian Supercar driver Brodie Kostecki will make his Cup Series debut as will two-time FIA World Endurance champion, 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, and one-time Formula 1 podium finisher Kamui Kobayashi. Formula 1 World Champion (2009) Jenson Button will also race at IMS. 

Van Gisbergen will join Trackhouse drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain at Indianapolis. Chastain won the June 25 race at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway a week before van Gisbergen’s Chicago victory. A week after Chicago, Suárez finished second at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga.