There’s just something about Aussie racers and NASCAR that makes for a great story. Maybe it’s the fearless attitude, or maybe it’s the way they shake up the status quo every time they hit American asphalt. From Marcos Ambrose’s wild road course wins to Shane van Gisbergen’s jaw-dropping Chicago debut, Australian Supercars stars have a knack for making headlines stateside. And just when you thought the buzz might die down, another Supercars champion has fastened his seatbelt, put on his helmet, and is awaiting NASCAR’s unique challenge. And no, it’s not Jack Perkins.
That’s old news, too! This time, the streets of Chicago are calling, and it will be another Aussie driver’s turn to see if he can follow in SVG’s legendary tire tracks. But this mysterious man’s journey to the Windy City is more than just another cameo. It’s a chance to make history in one of NASCAR’s most anticipated races of the year. Will he be able to rock the stage like SVG by winning his first-ever NASCAR race? Well, that’s too quick to judge. But now, it’s official!
Kaulig Racing bags a Supercars driver eyeing American redemption
Will Brown is about to swap the Aussie outback for the mean streets of Chicago. He is set to make his first NASCAR Cup Series outing with Kaulig Racing at the Chicago Street Race, driving the No. 13 Chevrolet. For Brown, it’s a dream come true. He has a chance to join an exclusive club of Australians who’ve taken on America’s top stock car series. Brown will be joining teammates AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon for the Grant Park 165.
Brown’s journey to the Cup Series has been anything but ordinary. He’s a proven winner down under. He captured the 2024 Supercars title with five wins and 19 podiums. This achievement made him the first driver in 40 years to score a podium in every round of the season. His consistency and aggressive style have made him a standout in Australia’s top racing series.
In 2024, @will_brown87 scored five wins and became the first driver in 40 years to earn a podium finish in every round of the Australian Supercars Championship.
Hear more from Will and @MattKaulig on this exciting news: https://t.co/R0LViQxS93 pic.twitter.com/Bi55ks8pHQ
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) May 27, 2025
Brown is no stranger to NASCAR. He made his Cup Series debut at Sonoma Raceway in 2024 with Richard Childress Racing. He showed speed in practice, running third, but electrical issues in qualifying and the race left him 31st at the finish. Brown is eager for another shot. “After watching SVG win the 2023 Chicago NASCAR race and getting to drive at Sonoma last year, I’ve been really keen to have a go at the Grant Park 165,” he said.
For his Chicago debut, Brown’s No. 13 Chevrolet will feature support from his long-time partners. MobileX, a customizable wireless service, will serve as the primary sponsor. Shaw and Partners Financial Services, QuadLock, KMC Wheels, Direct Plasterboard Outlet (DPO), Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions, Southern Cross Truck Rentals (SCTR), Wurth, Supercars Championship Repco, Xpress Fleet (XF), and Leaf Filter Gutter Protection will also be featured on the car. Most of these organizations are showing up in NASCAR as the sponsor for the first time. And, road course races are absolutely amazing! Many drivers won their first-ever Cup Series race at a road course, especially the international ones.
Juan Pablo Montoya won the 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, becoming the third foreign-born driver to win at NASCAR’s highest level. Similarly, in 2008, Marcos Ambrose won his first race at Watkins Glen and followed it up with four more at the same venue! In fact, Daniel Suárez became the first Mexican driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race with his Sonoma conquest in 2022. So, chances look eminent for Brown.
With Kaulig Racing’s strong street course record (the then driver, Justin Haley, finished second in Chicago’s inaugural race), expectations are high. The NASCAR community, in particular, has already lit up social media with their excitement and curiosity about Will Brown’s upcoming street circuit showdown.
Fans react to Will Brown’s NASCAR leap
The announcement of Will Brown’s Cup Series debut at the Chicago Street Race had fans fired up about the Australian trio at Chicago, particularly Will Brown. After all, this isn’t just any Supercars driver. One fan commented, “Hell yeah, SVG vs his replacement and 2024 Supercars champion! Should be really fun.” This is the matchup everyone’s talking about. Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) set the bar sky-high in 2023 with a win at Chicago. Will Brown, who took over SVG’s old Supercars seat at Triple Eight, just won the 2024 Supercars title. Watching the reigning Supercars champ go wheel-to-wheel with the man he replaced? That’s the kind of drama racing fans live for.
Kaulig Racing’s choice to slot Brown into the No. 13 Chevrolet also drew attention. The team is quietly putting together one of its most consistent years, with AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon showing flashes of brilliance. One fan summed it up best: “Kaulig seem to have their s— together this year, so this will be very interesting.”
Still, there’s some skepticism about how well-prepared Kaulig’s third car operation really is. “I still wouldn’t trust their third team pit crew though,” another commenter noted. Kaulig’s third car, the No. 13, is often a part-time entry. Sometimes the pit crew isn’t as seasoned as their main teams.
Brown’s arrival also reignited speculation about other Supercars stars jumping the Pacific. “What happened with Brody K?” one user asked, referencing Brodie Kostecki. Kostecki made his Cup debut at Indy in 2023 and turned heads. But he hasn’t been back in a NASCAR seat this year. He’s still a top contender in Supercars. But unlike SVG and Brown, he hasn’t made the jump to a regular NASCAR schedule in 2025.
If anything, Will Brown’s NASCAR bid is more than just a one-off curiosity. It’s added fuel to the ongoing Australia-to-America pipeline. And if Chicago delivers another SVG-style result, the door could open even wider for Supercars’ elite.
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