Shane van Gisbergen’s NASCAR journey has been full of firsts: first road course win, first international star buzz, and now, perhaps his most iconic moment yet, a pre-race interview so awkward it broke the internet. The three-time Supercars champion’s deadpan confusion during a gridwalk chat with Michael Waltrip ahead of the Pennzoil 400 became an instant viral sensation.
Fans erupted as the Kiwi driver, known for his steely focus on track, clashed with Waltrip’s signature chaotic energy. The exchange—equal parts cringe and comedy—left social media in stitches and cemented SVG’s status as NASCAR’s unintentional humorist.
Michael Waltrip’s Gridwalk Meets SVG’s Stone-Faced Confusion
Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 winner turned broadcaster, is no stranger to quirky grid interviews. But even he seemed unprepared for Shane’s blunt honesty. Kicking off with his trademark enthusiasm, Waltrip asked the New Zealander if he was a fan of the Backstreet Boys after interviewing the band earlier.
“I have no idea who you just mentioned,” Shane replied, his tone flat.
Waltrip doubled down, comparing the boy band to Australian rock group Men at Work—a reference lost on the Kiwi. “Okay, I’m not from Australia either, but I know who Men at Work are,” Shane fired back, his poker face unshaken.
there are actual tears running down my face bro 😭😭😭 https://t.co/gSpH8MTSik pic.twitter.com/fQk4b0HzsT
— los 🦦 (@Losanomics) March 16, 2025
The exchange spiraled as Waltrip conceded, “This ain’t going as well, is it?” before hastily wrapping up. Fans later learned the interview occurred just moments before Shane climbed into his car, which made his unflinching seriousness even funnier.
But the humor wasn’t lost on SVG. “It’s gonna be good. I’m looking forward to it. Stoked to have Red Bull back,” he added, seamlessly pivoting to sponsor plugs while Waltrip retreated.
NASCAR Fans Declare Shane van Gisbergen’s Interview an ‘Instant Classic’
Social media exploded within minutes. Clips of the interaction racked up half a million views so far, with fans dubbing it “a classic moment.” One X user wrote, “There are actual tears running down my face. Michael Waltrip’s interview of SVG needs to be in the NASCAR hall of fame oh my god.” Another joked, “His day went about as well as this interview,” referencing Shane’s middling race finish.
Waltrip joined the fans laughing about his blunder later on X. He wrote, with a sprinkle of irony, “As for the Australia/New Zealand thing, I never was very good at geometry.”
And as for the
Australia/New Zealand thing I never was very good at geometry.— Michael Waltrip (@MW55) March 16, 2025
Waltrip’s gridwalks have long been a polarizing staple, equally beloved and bewildering. This time, though, critics and supporters agreed: the awkwardness was magic. “Weekly Mikey shitshow, but I love it,” one fan tweeted.
The moment also highlighted cultural divides. Shane’s confusion over American pop references, a stark contrast to his encyclopedic racing knowledge, resonated with fans. “How many times in the last year do we think Shane has had to say ‘I’m not from Australia,’” commented a user.
Meanwhile, Waltrip took the stumble in stride. Known for his self-deprecating humor, he later retweeted fan edits set to Backstreet Boys tracks. For a broadcaster often criticized for leaning into slapstick, the viral moment proved his chaotic style still has a place in NASCAR’s evolving media landscape.