“Epic, Chase Elliott should have won”- NASCAR Twitter reacts as ringer Shane van Gisbergen wins inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race
Shane van Gisbergen used his street course racing expertise to its fullest to secure the Chicago win on his debut.
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Shane van Gisbergen (Credits: @ESPNStatsInfo/Twitter)
Three times Supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen has secured a NASCAR milestone no other driver has achieved in the last six decades. He became the first driver since James Rutherford in 1963 to win a Cup race on debut by winning the Chicago Street Race. The Kiwi driver is the first to do it in the modern NASCAR era. He is also the first winner in Trackhouse Racing’s No:91 car.
van Gisbergen used his street racing expertise to full use against a Cup grid that was making its debut on Such tracks. He started the race at P3 and had a solid run when Christopher Bell, who started one spot behind him, earned the first two stage wins. He was at P8 with 14 laps left in the race and could take the lead by surviving two restarts to win the race by taking the lead with five laps left. He leads 9 of the 77 laps in the race on the way to the win.
Kaulig Racing’s Justin Haley’s failure to create a gap between him and Chase Elliott, who was chasing him down, played a part in the Newzeland driver taking the win. van Gisbergen had to survive a two-lap overtime run to win the race after Bubba Wallace’s clash with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. caused the final caution of the race.
“This is what you dream of, hopefully, we can do more. Had some full sends on some people, the racing was really good, everyone was respectful, it was tough but it was really fun. …I can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true…I’m doing one more year in OZ, then I’d love to come over here!” van Gisbergen said after the race.
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Here is how fans on Twitter reacted to the ringer’s win
NASCAR fans o Twitter had a mixed but positive reaction to the veteran drivers’ win. They were disappointed as none of their favorite Cup regulars could secure the win in the milestone race. They were impressed by the Kiwi driver and had nothing but praise for the man on a mission the whole day. Some fans, though, were disappointed as his win cost a regular driver a playoff spot.
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Justin P Joy
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