The name Shane van Gisbergen was uncommon for many fans as they entered Grant Park 220 on the Chicago Street Course on Sunday, and with good reason.
Yes, van Gisbergen’s track record in Australian Supercars is outstanding with 79 wins and three championships. But coming to the United States and finding instant success felt like overkill.
Justin Marks, co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, certainly knew what he was doing when he gave the 34-year-old New Zealander the opportunity to drive his team’s Project91 entry in Chicago.
After an outstanding Saturday, in which van Gisbergen led practice by three tenths of a second and qualified third, he brought this to the workshop’s attention.
New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen won Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race, winning in his first start in the series. (Stan Kalwasinski photo)
Then, after a rain delay, van Gisbergen flexed his muscles on the street course, outperforming his 36 competitors and winning the inaugural Chicago Street Race trophy.
Van Gisbergen’s monumental victory was something not seen in 60 years – a driver’s victory in his first career start (1963, Johnny Rutherford, Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway).
While the mild-mannered racer was humble throughout the process, his fellow competitors weren’t shy about offering their opinions on his performance.
Justin Haley, 2
The driver with the best view of van Gisbergen’s triumph at the 12-turn street circuit was Kaulig Racing’s Justin Haley.
Haley earned the lead through a pit strategy call and led 23 laps before being passed by van Gisbergen with five laps to go.
“We started last today and I felt we had a good pace. We just – yeah, Shane was just better,” Haley admitted. “He had better tires for 16 or more laps. Simply a world-class racer. He was very calculated, very precise and very smooth. He didn’t overdo it. He was very calculated.”
Haley and van Gisbergen fought a heated battle at the penultimate restart, which saw tough, flawless racing before the driver of the No. 91 Chevrolet pulled away.
“It was just incredible that someone could come in and do a race like that,” said Haley. “Also very clean. Our race for the lead went clean, he left a lot of space and was very respectful.”
Chase Elliot, 3
Chase Elliott’s checkered day ended with a third place finish aboard the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Elliott believes van Gisbergren was racing in his own zip code during the shortened 75-lap race.
“He was in a league of his own and I think he’s built a really great clinic,” Elliott said.
Admittedly, the 2020 Cup Series champion, who has had seven wins on the road, felt like van Gisbergen had simply passed him.
“I don’t want to speak for everyone else but he made me look bad and I think the rest of us did too,” Elliott said. “I look forward to going to work and trying to get better.”
Kyle Larson, 4
Arguably no driver in Sunday’s field has a more diverse motorsport background than Kyle Larson. Whether it’s in a sprint car, a newer model, a subcompact or a Silver Crown car, the 2021 Cup Series Champion has won in everything.
But when Larson relived the final laps as van Gisbergen rounded his #5 Chevrolet and eventually took the lead, he was shocked.
“From my point of view, it was so much fun to watch,” Larson said. “When it got to my rear bumper I felt like I had put a really good section together and I figured I’d definitely look in the mirror and I’d be like two car lengths or something in front of me It was taped to my rear bumper and I said, “Holy s-, this guy flies.’
“He could pass me and then I could watch the show. I kind of followed him and the moves he was making really everywhere – he could pass anywhere but the moves he was able to make into (turn) two were really nice to look at and then the pass he had to lead – I thought their fight for the lead was great.”
Larson admitted van Gisbergen’s performance put other drivers in their place and said there was always room for improvement in the cockpit.
“He put on a show and it was cool to see, and I think when a guy like that comes in and kicks your ass when you’re playing your own game, it shows that we all have room for improvement,” he said larson
“I’m curious what he thinks about us. Obviously he’s passed a lot of us, so I’m curious if he thinks we all suck or if we might actually like to compete if we weren’t really that bad.
“We come from a different background than him but it was great to see and I hope the fans enjoyed it.” Congratulations to him and the team and Justin Marks. That was really cool to see.”
Next weekend, van Gisbergen will return to the Supercars Championship with two races as part of the Townsville 500. The events will be streamed on SPEED SPORT 1. Watch all the action on the SPEED SPORT 1 website at www.speedsport1.com.
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