Jul 2, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Shane Van Gisbergen (91) leads the sphere on the Balbo Drive bridge on the ultimate lap on his option to win the Grant Park 220 of the Chicago Avenue Race considered from the NEMA Chicago buliding. Obligatory Credit score: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports activities Within the nation’s Second Metropolis this weekend, standout highway racer Shane van Gisbergen will probably be in search of his personal second — one other NASCAR Cup Collection win.
When the Grant Park 165 takes the inexperienced flag Sunday for the second operating of the Chicago Avenue Race, all eyes will probably be on the New Zealander’s return engagement within the Windy Metropolis.
The Trackhouse Motorsports driver shocked the NASCAR world one yr in the past when he gained the inaugural Chicago race, locking down the victory as avenue lamps got here to life and darkness descended on the freeways traversing the town.
Nicknamed SVG for brevity’s sake, the Mission 91 Chevrolet road-racing specialist labored his well beyond Justin Haley to win the race, which was shortened by 25 laps because of impending darkness.
The Auckland, New Zealand, native turned the primary driver to win his debut in NASCAR’s prime collection in 60 years. Johnny Rutherford gained in 1963 at Daytona in a qualifying race, then thought-about a factors occasion.
van Gisbergen, 35, is simply driving a handful of races in Cup this season, however he has already left an indelible mark on the Xfinity Collection, the place he races the No. 97 Chevrolet full time for Kaulig Racing alongside teammate AJ Allmendinger.
Within the first Xfinity Collection race of June at Portland Raceway, he beat Justin Allgaier on a restart with 4 laps to go. The three-time Australian Supercars champion then repeated the next weekend at Sonoma Raceway with one other victory, main 32 of 79 circuits and beating Sheldon Creed for his second profession collection triumph.
Kaulig crew president Chris Rice has been impressed with van Gisbergen and mentioned his type is completely different from that of Allmendinger, a road-racing ringer.
“It is a completely different particular,” Rice mentioned. “AJ got here into our place and has been the most effective highway course racers ever on this sport. His driving type and SVG’s driving type is so completely different that SVG goes to be the most effective racer from Australia and the best way they do it and he is received to study these automobiles.”
The oddsmakers do not suppose his Chicago victory was a fluke.
Through Draft Kings odds, SVG opened as a favourite at +500 adopted by Kyle Larson (+600), Christopher Bell (+600), Tyler Reddick (+650) and final yr’s third-place finisher Chase Elliott (+800).
“SVG is a particular driver,” Rice added. “He has extra expertise than we have seen in a very long time come from wherever else. He’ll do very properly, however whenever you get to the Cup aspect, it is manner tougher than displaying up in Xfinity.
“He has a lot automobile management, it is unbelievable.”
On the information entrance, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Josh Berry will depart the No. 4 Ford and climb in to the legendary No. 21 one of many Wooden Brothers in 2025, changing second-year driver Harrison Burton.
Berry turns into the second SHR driver to discover a experience for subsequent season, becoming a member of Chase Briscoe, who will exchange the retiring Martin Truex Jr. within the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Noah Gragson and Ryan Preece are the 2 remaining SHR drivers who would not have a experience for subsequent season, whereas Cole Custer seems to be the frontrunner to drive the brand new Haas Manufacturing unit Group entry in 2025.
–Discipline Degree Media
