Shane van Gisbergen will make his second NASCAR Cup Series start at the two-mile track in Brooklyn, Michigan competing in the FireKeepers Casino 400. Last year the Kiwi driver started 26th and finished 18th.
“It’s (Michigan International Speedway) alright, it’s a super fast track,” commented SVG. “Hopefully we just keep showing improvement and keep some momentum going. It’s been great for our points the last few weeks. We just have to keep that going.”
Van Gisbergen and the No. 97 team enjoyed a strong month of May, posting an average finish of 5.67, second-best in the Cup Series. He led laps in all three points-paying races – Watkins Glen, Charlotte, and Nashville – for a combined 97 laps.
“We had a bad couple of months, but it feels like it’s definitely turned around the last couple of weeks. It’s a real momentum based sport and confidence based as well. We just need to keep that going and lift our teammates up with us. If we are all running good, it will really help the whole team.”
Last weekend at Nashville Van Gisbergen started 10th after the lineup was set per the rule book after qualifying was rained out. He battled inside the top 10 the entire 300-lap event and led three times for 12 laps in Stage 2 eventually finishing fifth, a career-best finish on an oval track.
“I think it’s always just time and always learning stuff. The further up front you are, the better people race you, as well, so that’s always nice. It’s a real dogfight in the back, so getting away from that is a nice break. I think it really shows the importance of qualifying, getting up front, making no mistakes, and you can stay out there all day.”
Van Gisbergen enters this weekend at Michigan 12th in the Cup Series driver standings, 42 points above 16th-place and the final spot in The Chase.
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