NASCAR drivers have at all times discovered methods to specific their frustration on the monitor, however Shane van Gisbergen simply revealed the hilarious hierarchy behind these heated hand gestures. The Trackhouse Racing driver spilled the main points on how drivers talk their feelings by their automobile home windows, and it’s extra strategic than you may suppose.
Racing brings out intense feelings, and with automobiles flying round at excessive speeds, drivers want fast methods to let one another know precisely how they really feel. The development of NASCAR’s NextGen automobiles offers drivers the proper alternative to specific themselves with their palms, creating a complete language of gestures that followers not often get to see up shut.
When van Gisbergen sat down with Jeff Gluck for the newest version of ’12 Questions,’ he opened up concerning the unstated guidelines and totally different ranges of hand gestures that occur throughout races.
What Makes NASCAR Hand Gestures Totally different From Different Racing?
Earlier than making his title in NASCAR, Shane van Gisbergen tried his hand at a number of different racing codecs. He received the Australian Supercars Championship 3 times earlier than shifting to inventory automobile racing in 2023.
After successful his debut Cup race on the Chicago Avenue Course, van Gisbergen immediately established himself as a formidable determine in NASCAR. Nonetheless, it wasn’t easy crusing for the New Zealander after his first win.
Even in his runs through the 2024-25 season, although the previous No. 97 Kaulig Racing driver had reached victory lane thrice within the Xfinity Collection, all wins got here on highway programs. Apart from these victories, he additionally completed third on the Charlotte Roval.
Learn Extra: Shane van Gisbergen Previews Charlotte Short Track Battle With Fellow New Zealander Scott McLaughlin
Shortly after his current dominant victory on the Chicago monitor, van Gisbergen spoke to Gluck for his interview collection and opened up about a number of elements of his life, together with his most depressing race automobile moments and misconceptions about him.
Halfway by the interview, Gluck asked van Gisbergen about his personal “middle finger policy” when driving.
The No. 88 driver received candid along with his reply and famous that the construct of NASCAR’s NextGen automobile gave drivers the choice to gesture with their palms whereas racing. He mentioned, “I’ve solely simply began doing it as a result of we’ve received home windows (within the automobiles) at residence. It’s fairly enjoyable right here doing it.”
How Does Shane Van Gisbergen Deal with Frustration on Observe?
Van Gisbergen emphasised that the gestures are normally executed in a fun-loving method. Nonetheless, he confessed to utilizing them out of frustration throughout his Michigan outing. He added: “I really did it (in Michigan) at somebody. They have been racing me like an fool, after which put their hand out at me. So I handed them after which did it again.”
Regardless of admitting to the occasional pissed off gesture, van Gisbergen maintains there are boundaries. He explained: “I feel it’s fairly impolite, although. I don’t wish to try this on a regular basis. You solely do it when individuals deserve it, I suppose. Or for enjoyable.”
This week’s 12 Questions interview is one other one with fortunate timing, in case you wish to know extra about @shanevg97.
I didn’t know the story of the time he virtually stop racing after which received in a messy authorized battle, which he explains right here: https://t.co/DuZpyw5tSP
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 9, 2025
Following this, Gluck requested a follow-up query from a spectator’s perspective. He inquired, “It’s arduous for us to essentially see it watching on TV, however you may clearly see when individuals are doing it?”
Van Gisbergen famous that many gestures really come from politeness, used when drivers let their rivals go or assist them not directly. Because the Trackhouse Racing driver burst out in laughter, he defined the totally different ranges of hand gestures that occur throughout races.
He described the hierarchy: “However you may see some individuals simply put a sly finger out, after which I suppose once they’re actually offended, the entire hand comes out. (Laughs.) It’s fairly humorous, as a result of you may’t specific your self in different racing since you’ve received the window. It’s fairly cool.”
This perception reveals how NASCAR’s distinctive automobile design creates alternatives for driver communication that merely don’t exist in different types of motorsport. The power to see and gesture by home windows provides a human ingredient to the high-speed competitors that followers not often get to witness from their tv screens.
