On the morning of July 3, 2023, rain hit the streets of Chicago. But the skies cleared just in time to watch Shane van Gisbergen do something no one had done in 60 years, win a NASCAR Cup Series race on debut. In the heart of downtown, through narrow corners and soaked pavement, the Kiwi carved through the field like a man possessed. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. A three-time Supercars champ walked into NASCAR’s first street race and took the checkered flag in overtime.
Even Van Gisbergen himself was in disbelief. “No, of course not, but you always dream of it. The racing was really good, everyone was respectful. It was tough but a lot of fun,” he said after crossing the finish line. The reaction from fans in both the U.S. and back home in Australia and New Zealand was overwhelming. He described it as “a dream come true.” And it wasn’t a lucky win. He had been fast all weekend, quickest in practice and strong in qualifying. He capitalized on fresher tires and charged from 18th to 1st in just over 10 laps.
Fast forward to 2025. NASCAR is headed back to Chicago. But this time, van Gisbergen won’t be the only driver with Supercars credentials. A trio of Australian stars are ready to chase their path. The gates are open. The invasion is on. And fans can’t get enough of it.
According to media reports, at the front of this charge is Will Brown. The reigning Supercars champion has been in top form and is expected to make his NASCAR return after a disappointing P31 finish last year at Sonoma Raceway. He’s expected to partner with a team linked to Richard Childress Racing, possibly Kaulig Racing. Brown has been one of the most consistent drivers in 2025, with a podium finish in every round so far. Joining Brown is Cam Waters, who’s back for another shot at the Cup competition.
Waters debuted last year at Sonoma with RFK Racing. He didn’t turn heads with results, but insiders praised his race craft and comfort behind the wheel. He’s already a veteran of over 280 Supercars starts, with 18 wins. In 2025, he’s won in Tasmania, Perth, and Townsville. The man knows how to win and would be keen to prove it in NASCAR. Then there’s Broc Feeney. Only 22, but already one of the hottest names in Australian racing. With 15 career wins and a championship lead in 2025, Feeney is eyeing an Xfinity Series start in Chicago. Talks are in motion with Chevrolet-backed teams.
“[Australian @Supercars drivers] Will Brown and Cam Waters are expected to contest the Cup Series race on the streets of Chicago, while Broc Feeney is believed to be targeting a start in the Xfinity Series.” – @Auto_Action https://t.co/9jymQPAdro
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) May 14, 2025
While NASCAR has been open to all, fans have taken social media by storm over the supercars’ trio entry. One fan captured the mood perfectly online, saying, “At this point you could just make it a Supercars exhibition event and bring the Aussie Racing Cars series along too!” That’s not just banter. Supercar stars have proven they can compete. Ever since Shane van Gisbergen made history in 2023, more Supercars drivers are testing their skills against the best racers in NASCAR.
Although SVG’s success was the catalyst, his 2025 Cup campaign has hit some bumps. He sits 35th in the standings with an average finish of 26.8. He’s had just one top 10 finish and three DNFs. Most of his struggles have come on ovals, territory still new to him. “Qualifying is my weakness. Once you are buried, it’s so hard to pass in these cars,” he admitted earlier. And this is true, he has an Average start of 30.5.
The road course events are where SVG will be eyeing to put his skills to use and lock himself into the playoffs. However, if the reports are to be true, he will be against the odds to repeat his 2023 heroics in the streets of Windy City. Competing against star drivers like Kyle Larson and AJ Allmendinger was always going to be a challenge, and adding the Supercars drivers in the mix, all of a sudden, SVG isn’t the only favorite for the win.
As July nears and the Chicago skyline readies itself for another weekend of street course drama, the “Aussie Invasion” has fans buzzing.
Supercars vs. NASCAR – Fans Fire Up the Conversation
The buzz online has turned into a full-blown wildfire. The possibility of a second Supercars success story in Chicago has lit up fan spaces across the globe. From serious race forums to casual comment threads, everyone’s got an opinion, and most are loving the Aussie wave. A user said, “The Australian Invasion.” The phrase has stuck and for good reason. If all three drivers enter this year’s event, they’ll make up nearly 10% of the Cup/Xfinity grid.
Another fan commented, “Will Brown is the defending champion with w/11 wins in his career. Cam Waters has 18 wins. I believe both did a Cup race last year at Sonoma.” They’re right. The stats don’t lie. These drivers aren’t hype; they’ve earned it. NASCAR fans now know what Supercars fans have known for years: these drivers are world-class. Some other fans said, “Imagine the podium being all Supercars drivers this year lol.” What once seemed like a wildcard experiment now feels like the start of something long-term. All thanks to NASCAR’s plans to reach out to the global audience through events like street races.
The Chicago Street Race has become a magnet for international talent, and fans are here for it. Another comment hit at the heart of the moment: “NASCAR should really keep the Chicago Street Race, or at least keep a street race on that weekend every year. Having the best Supercars drivers mix it up with the Cup stars makes the weekend ‘must-see’ for me, more than most NASCAR race weekends.” This was a bold take, given that NASCAR and the City of Chicago are headed into the final year of their agreement. The thing is, the street race isn’t the only special event on the schedule; you now have the international race in Mexico. So, it will be too soon to make a prediction on whether or not the Cup Series will return to the streets of Chicago.
Not everyone’s on board, though. “I’m kind of over the supercar thing. Much rather see Alex Palou or someone like that try it,” one fan said. Fair enough. NASCAR’s international efforts are still new. But the numbers support the buzz. SVG’s win drew global attention. Ratings for last year’s Chicago race jumped. And fan vote numbers for SVG this year show strong support; he’s top five despite a rough season. And with three serious contenders about to land in Chicago, the buzz is only getting louder.
The post “Aussie Invasion”- Fans Go Wild as Supercars Trio Plot Bold SVG Move Ahead of NASCAR’s Chicago Return appeared first on EssentiallySports.
