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yesterday

Van Gisbergen and Zilisch to Race Red Bull‑Backed Late Models at Florence

Their entries pair top-level NASCAR drivers with Red Bull and raise the CARS Tour’s national visibility during the nearby Darlington Cup weekend.

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Shane van Gisbergen. Image: Supplied

Overview

  • Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch are entered in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour race at Florence Motor Speedway, a 125-lap event scheduled for Friday, September 4.
  • Van Gisbergen will drive the No. 51 Hettinger Racing Chevrolet Camaro and Zilisch will pilot the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, with both cars carrying Red Bull sponsorship.
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. confirmed on his podcast that the two drivers will compete in identical Red Bull-backed Late Models.
  • The Florence field lists 30 Late Models and the race will be shown on Flo Racing, giving the CARS Tour — owned and promoted by figures including Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Justin Marks — broader exposure.
  • The entries continue a trend of Cup-level drivers racing short tracks: van Gisbergen arrives after recent improved oval results and a tough Daytona elimination, while Zilisch brings 14 prior CARS starts and a 2024 Hickory win, a combination that could deepen sponsor interest and fan attention for Late Model events.