Van Gisbergen: 'Smart' Fraser deserves 2023 seat

Shane van Gisbergen says Declan Fraser deserves a shot at the main game next season.

Triple Eight youngster Fraser extended his Super2 points lead with victory in Saturday’s Sandown opener.

The Queenslander crossed the line second, but benefited from a Tyler Everingham penalty.

Fraser is now in the box seat to help Triple Eight to a second straight Super2 title.

The 21-year-old took the lead in Townsville, and is now 153 points clear at the top.

Fraser has imbued himself into Triple Eight garages and debriefs, travelling to non-Super2 rounds to be with the team.

“He’s been pretty awesome,” van Gisbergen said of Fraser.

“I think today shows why he has got the orange numbers on the car.

“He’s not the fastest guy out there - well, he is very fast - but he didn’t pass anyone today, he was just smart and calculated with everything he did.

“You can see the difference from how much he has spent in our debriefs.

“He’s in every debrief just sitting there. He’s just an awesome kid and a good person to have around.”

Broc Feeney earned passage to the main game after winning the 2021 title.

Seats are at a premium for the 2023 Supercars season, but van Gisbergen thinks teams should make a play at Fraser.

For now, Fraser will focus on winning the Super2 title before his Bathurst debut alongside Craig Lowndes.

Lowndes and Fraser will share a Triple Eight wildcard at October’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

“I think he’s having a proper crack and you always love helping someone like that,” van Gisbergen said.

“Anything he asks me or the team, everyone is always happy to help him.

“He’s doing everything he can to make sure he gets into Supercars next year.

“He probably deserves someone to give him a shot."

Super2 will return to the track for qualifying at 10:15am local time, with the race scheduled for 3:00pm.

2023 Repco Supercars Championship grid (as of August 21, 2023)