Three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen faced a frustrating start in the ARCA season opener, enduring a short-lived race marred by a multi-car wreck on just the fourth lap. Van Gisbergen, piloting the No. 28 Chevrolet, managed only three laps before becoming ensnared in the chaos that unfolded in Turns 1 and 2.
Gus Dean’s loss of control, compounded by contact from behind, caused him to spin into his Venturini Motorsports teammate Toni Breidinger, setting off a chain reaction that ensnared over two dozen cars, including van Gisbergen’s.
Reflecting on the incident, van Gisbergen, 34, expressed disappointment at the abrupt end to his race. “I didn’t last long in that race,” he remarked. “It sucked. We were just learning, getting through a few (laps). Just trying to be patient and I saw a crash up ahead and I slowed up pretty good I thought but just got slammed from behind. That sucked.”
Despite the setback, van Gisbergen’s team managed to patch up his damaged car sufficiently for him to rejoin the race after 25 laps. However, his hopes of a strong finish were dashed as he ultimately crossed the line in 29th place.
The ARCA event was part of van Gisbergen’s preparations for his upcoming debut in the Xfinity Series. His participation aimed to gain valuable superspeedway experience, which is crucial for navigating the challenges of NASCAR competition.
Van Gisbergen’s day began on shaky ground, encountering difficulties in qualifying that left him struggling to secure a spot in the 40-car field. Ultimately, he secured entry after another team withdrew.
Originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, the race was rescheduled to late Friday night following the NASCAR Truck race due to anticipated adverse weather conditions throughout the weekend.
Van Gisbergen’s foray into NASCAR follows his historic Cup race win in the inaugural Chicago Street Race last July. This milestone victory propelled the New Zealander into NASCAR competition full-time, with plans to compete in the Xfinity Series and participate in at least seven Cup races this season.
With an illustrious career in Supercars, boasting over 500 starts and 81 wins since 2007, including championship titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022, van Gisbergen brings a wealth of experience to his NASCAR endeavors.
His achievements also extend beyond Supercars, with notable performances in endurance racing, including three victories in the Bathurst 1000 and a runner-up finish in the GTD class at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2015.
Despite his extensive racing background, van Gisbergen’s familiarity with the Daytona International Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval course was limited, with only a two-day ARCA test in January preceding the race.
