To Shane van Gisbergen’s Australasian fans, winning NASCAR on debut around the streets of Chicago is no surprise, such is his talent. Yes, it is a remarkable feat but after setting third fastest time in qualifying, the reality of winning was that much more tangible. You’d put a wager on it! SVG now becomes the first driver in 60 years to win a NASCAR Cup race on debut. In his words, ‘You always dream of it!’
Fellow NASCAR drivers have nothing but praise for his race craft.
“I don’t want to speak for everybody else, but he made me look bad, and I kind of think the rest of us, too,” commented Chase Elliot to Motorsport.com, one of the Cup Series top road course drivers. “
“When he got to my back bumper, I felt like I pieced together a really good section and I thought for sure I’d look in the mirror and I was going to be like two car lengths or something in front of him, and he was glued to my back bumper,” said Kyle Larson who ended up fourth.
“I was like, ‘Holy s—, this guy is flying.’ He was able to get by me, and then I got to watch the show.”
At last, Kiwi newspapers, websites and TV have jumped on the SVG express – although less than 24 hours later it’s dropped off the main news on both Stuff and NZhearld websites.
Hard to believe but the Chicago Grant Park 220 NASCAR race is a first for the series on a street circuit. Given SVG’s street track experience in the Repco Supercars Championship, again it is no surprise that he would be competing for the lead.
He first won at the ITM Hamilton 400 in 2011 and has recorded more victories in Adelaide, Townsville and Newcastle.
“Unbelievable,” said Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks. “He’s a world-class talent so it’s been exciting bringing someone from the Supercars series over because I really feel that it is a gold-mine of talent cos their cars are so similar to the (NASCAR) Cup cars.
“He just showed what he is capable of doing and to win in Chicago, it has been an amazing day.”
“Its been a whirlwind, learning how it all works here,” said van Gisbergen. “I can’t thank Trackhouse enough for welcoming me into their world and making me feel prepared.
The real test of talent in both NASCAR and IndyCar is oval racing. Let’s not be surprised if SVG gives that a go and maybe on a more permanent basis from 2025.
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