Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, achieved his first victory in the Xfinity Series last Saturday at Portland International Raceway. He overtook Justin Allgaier with three laps left out of 75, securing the win.
This victory secures van Gisbergen’s spot in the 2024 series playoffs in his rookie season. Before this win, he was struggling to qualify based on points.
Van Gisbergen expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s been a pretty special nine to 10 months since we decided to do this, and yeah, pretty stoked to be now in the playoffs and back in Victory Lane again. It’s pretty special. Every week, you know we’re not running up front, but I’m having a lot of fun doing it anyway.”
Last July, van Gisbergen made history by becoming the first driver in over 60 years to win a Cup race in his debut at the inaugural Chicago Street Race driving for Trackhouse Racing.
This victory motivated the 35-year-old Kiwi to transition to NASCAR competition this season, racing full-time in Xfinity and part-time in Cup, both with Kaulig Racing. His ultimate goal is to move full-time to the Cup Series with Trackhouse. While his recent win on the Portland road course was significant, van Gisbergen acknowledges that improving his skills on oval tracks is crucial.
Apart from an engine failure in Las Vegas, van Gisbergen has been competitive in the 11 races so far this season in Xfinity. He has secured two top-10 finishes, including third place at Atlanta. However, he has only led a single lap on an oval track.
“I’m a long way from (winning on an oval) and I understand that, but it’s a process, you know. These guys have been doing it since they were kids whereas this stuff (road racing) I’ve been doing since I was a kid,” he said.
“In the meantime, van Gisbergen is still adjusting to the physical demands of NASCAR racing, whether it’s on short ovals or road courses. He admitted to his own mistake in the first turn at Portland when he collided with leader Sam Mayer, causing him to spin. Despite going off course twice more during the race, van Gisbergen managed to keep going.
“It’s just all these games. I’m still learning and figuring it out,” he said. “Going four-wide into Turn 1, it’s hard, you know. I’m on the conservative side and these people, they don’t give a (expletive). They just send it in there and hope they come out the other side.
“So yeah, I’m still figuring out the American style.”
