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Florence, SC – The picturesque Florence Motor Speedway in South Carolina is set to host a significant influx of talent this Friday, September 4th, as the CARS Late Model Tour makes its 11th stop of the 2026 season. Headlining the event will be the highly anticipated debut of Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen in a CARS Late Model Stock Car, a move that underscores the growing crossover appeal of grassroots stock car racing. Coinciding with the NASCAR Cup Series’ presence just a few miles away at Darlington Raceway, the Florence event promises a compelling showcase of diverse racing pedigrees.
Van Gisbergen, a celebrated figure in Australian motorsport, will pilot the No. 51 Hettinger Racing machine, proudly bearing the iconic Red Bull livery. This outing marks his return to the track following a challenging, yet ultimately triumphant, weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona. While van Gisbergen achieved a significant milestone by winning his first oval stage in Cup competition, his Chase for the Championship aspirations were dashed by a dramatic last-lap victory from Ryan Preece.
Despite the Daytona setback, van Gisbergen has demonstrated a remarkable progression on oval circuits throughout the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. His adaptability and raw talent have translated into consistent top-five finishes, including strong performances at North Wilkesboro and Nashville. Furthermore, in the NASCAR Truck Series, he secured his maiden oval pole at Richmond, ultimately finishing fourth in that event, further solidifying his growing command of ovals. The CARS Late Model Tour, known for its intense competition and development of future stock car stars, provides a unique platform for van Gisbergen to hone his skills on a different style of circuit.
Adding to the star power at Florence, van Gisbergen’s NASCAR Cup Series teammate, Connor Zilisch, will also be competing in the CARS Late Model Stock Car event. Zilisch, a promising young talent, will be behind the wheel of the No. 8 JR Motorsports entry, also backed by Red Bull sponsorship. This pairing of van Gisbergen and Zilisch under the Red Bull umbrella highlights a strategic alignment between major motorsport entities and the grassroots racing scene.
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While this event represents van Gisbergen’s inaugural foray into CARS Late Model Stock Car competition, Zilisch brings a more extensive resume to the discipline. The young American has already amassed 14 previous starts in the CARS Tour, notably securing a victory at Hickory earlier in the 2026 season. His experience within the series provides a valuable benchmark against which van Gisbergen’s debut will be measured.
The CARS Tour itself is a significant entity in the development pipeline for aspiring stock car drivers. Owned by a consortium of prominent figures in motorsport, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., former Cup Series champion Jeff Burton, Cup Series winner Kevin Harvick, entrepreneur Justin Marks, and major track operator Speedway Motorsports Inc., the tour enjoys a strong pedigree and a commitment to fostering talent. The ownership group’s collective expertise and influence ensure a high level of competition and a robust platform for driver advancement.
Adding another layer of interest to the weekend’s festivities, Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the CARS Tour’s principal owners, will also be participating in racing action. However, Earnhardt Jr. will be competing in the Pro Late Model Tour division, showcasing his continued passion for racing at various levels.
The CARS Late Model Stock Tour event at Florence Motor Speedway represents the 11th round of a 14-race 2026 schedule. The previous CARS Late Model Stock Tour event at Florence saw Landen Lewis emerge victorious one year ago, setting a competitive precedent for this year’s contenders. The track’s configuration and characteristic challenges will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the outcome of this highly anticipated race.
Van Gisbergen’s decision to compete in the CARS Tour underscores the increasing trend of international drivers seeking opportunities in various forms of American stock car racing. His success in Supercars, a highly competitive touring car championship, has provided him with a strong foundation in car control and race craft. His subsequent transition to NASCAR has seen him adapt quickly to the unique demands of oval racing, a discipline that requires a different skill set and strategic approach compared to his road-racing background.
The presence of Red Bull as a sponsor across both van Gisbergen and Zilisch’s entries in the CARS Tour event is a testament to the brand’s commitment to motorsports at all levels. Red Bull has a long history of supporting emerging talent and established stars across a wide spectrum of racing disciplines, and their involvement in grassroots stock car racing further validates the significance of these events.
For Connor Zilisch, the CARS Tour represents a crucial stepping stone in his burgeoning career. His 2026 victory at Hickory demonstrates his potential and ability to contend for wins against seasoned competitors. This race at Florence will provide him with an opportunity to build on that success and further establish his credentials within the series, while also learning from the experience of a world-class driver like van Gisbergen.
The proximity of the CARS Tour event to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is likely to draw significant attention from both dedicated stock car fans and a wider motorsport audience. The opportunity to witness a global racing superstar like van Gisbergen compete in a different discipline, alongside a promising young talent like Zilisch, on a track steeped in stock car history, creates a compelling narrative for the weekend.
The CARS Late Model Stock Tour is renowned for its close racing and the development of drivers who often graduate to the national NASCAR series. The competition within the tour is fierce, with a blend of established regional talents and up-and-coming drivers vying for supremacy. Van Gisbergen’s debut adds an unprecedented level of global intrigue to this already competitive landscape.
As the drivers prepare for practice and qualifying sessions leading up to Friday’s main event, the focus will be on how van Gisbergen adapts to the nuances of Late Model Stock Car racing, including tire management, chassis setup, and the aggressive racing style often employed in these events. Zilisch, with his prior experience, will be aiming to leverage his knowledge of the series and the track to achieve another strong result. The outcome of the race will be closely watched, not only for the immediate victory but also for the insights it provides into the evolving landscape of motorsport talent and the growing appeal of grassroots racing.
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