Van Gisbergen powers to maiden NASCAR victory
A late charge has seen Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen take an extraordinary victory on his NASCAR Cup Series debut on the streets of Chicago.
Van Gisbergen powered to the lead past Justin Haley with five laps remaining in a shortened race to score victory.
It’s the first time in NASCAR’s modern era that a driver has won in their first Cup Series start.
The 34-year-old was the first driver to win in their Cup Series debut since Johnny Rutherford at Daytona in 1963, and the first win for a New Zealander in the Cup Series.
Van Gisbergen also became the second Supercars champion after Marcos Ambrose to win a Cup Series race.
Van Gisbergen will now return to Australia for the next round of the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship, the NTI Townsville 500. Tickets are on sale now.
Townsville will be broadcast live on the Seven Network on the Saturday and Sunday of the event.
Pic: NASCAR
It will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo on all three days.
International fans can live stream every Supercars race and qualifying session live and uninterrupted on SuperView.
Haley managed to retake the position briefly with a daring crossover move, before van Gisbergen switched back and took the spot back.
The three-time Supercars champion was chosen by Justin Marks’ Trackhouse team to drive its Project91 Chevrolet Camaro in Chicago.
While a relative unknown to many NASCAR fans before the weekend, van Gisbergen will become a bonafide worldwide star with the stunning drive.
Van Gisbergen celebrated his win with trademark burnouts on Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago.
"Man, what an experience," he said.
"It's so cool, it's what you dream of. Hopefully I come and do more.
Pic: NASCAR
"When we had that bad strategy back to 18th, I started to worry a bit. Had some full sends on people, the racing was really good, everyone was respectful.
"It was tough, but a lot of fun... anything is possible. I can't believe it, dream come true."
Van Gisbergen was third behind Haley and 2021 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott with nine laps remaining.
Remarkably, van Gisbergen was as low as 18th ahead of the final dash to the chequered flag.
The race length was shortened to 75 laps from the scheduled 100 with darkness approaching, after the start was delayed following heavy rain.
Stage 2 ended under caution after Alex Bowman stopped on track due to an engine failure, handing a second stage win of the day to Christopher Bell.
The balance of the field pitted under caution with 28 laps remaining, with Haley taking over the lead on the restart.
Earlier, pole-sitter Denny Hamlin sent Bowman into the Turn 11 tyre wall, with van Gisbergen leading a lap during the pit cycle.
There was also a dramatic pile-up at Michigan Avenue after William Byron slid into the tyre wall.
Van Gisbergen held off Haley in Overtime and crossed the line 1.259s to the good, with Elliott, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch rounding out the top five.
Austin Cindric was sixth ahead of Michael McDowell, Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher.
