The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the streets of Chicago on Sunday for the third running of the Chicago Street Race. Shane van Gisbergen will make his third Cup Series start as he looks for a three-peat in the streets of Chicago.
The Kiwi driver owns two victories at the street course, including his NASCAR Cup Series debut win in 2023.
In 2023, van Gisbergen became the first driver in nearly 60 years to win in his first Cup start when he claimed the victory on the Chicago streets. Driving the No. 91 Chevrolet under the team’s PROJECT91 program, the three-time Supercars champion won the race in overtime.
Last year, Van Gisbergen won the Xfinity race after starting from the pole position. In the Cup race, Van Gisbergen was the fastest car on track and led 9 laps, before being taken out by another car, leaving him with a 40th-place finish.
“We should be very strong this weekend,” said van Gisbergen. “I know everyone is going to be better. Last year was a big step up on competition and I know this year will be, too. We just have to continue to focus on us. We’ve prepped very hard, spent last week’s simulator time on Chicago, so hopefully we get there this weekend and are solid.”
Before climbing in the No. 88 Chevrolet on Sunday, Van Gisbergen will pilot the No. 9 WeatherTech/Red Bull Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race. This start marks one of three Xfinity races for SVG this season; Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International are the others.
“It’s just like the tracks I’ve grown up racing on. In Supercars there are a lot of street circuits on the schedule, so I’m comfortable with the walls. It’s similar to a few tracks that I raced in Australia, whereas most of these guys aren’t used to street circuits. Just something I’m comfortable with and have spent many years racing.”
Last weekend in Atlanta, was his most impressive oval track performance, finishing eighth and seventh, respectively, in the first two stages. Contact with another car with 85 laps remaining sent him for a spin across the grass. He lost three laps to replace a broken toe link and finished 24th.
The 2023 event in Chicago was the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race in the sport’s 75-year history. The third running of the race on Sunday will once again take competitors through many of the city’s most renowned downtown landmarks.
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