How van Gisbergen reflects on wild COTA finish

Shane van Gisbergen “gave it a good crack” and almost did everything right to take a maiden NASCAR Xfinity Series win at COTA.

Van Gisbergen had overcome Kaulig Racing teammate and road course expert AJ Allmendinger in a race-long battle to be cruising to the chequered flag.

But with four laps to go the race was turned on its head and the Kiwi found himself in an insane fight for victory with Austin Hill and Kyle Larson amid the thrilling double overtime finish.

In the end Larson prevailed on fresh tyres whilst van Gisbergen crossed the line second, only to be demoted to 27th due to a 30s penalty for cutting a corner.

Speaking before the penalty was imposed, van Gisbergen said he ‘gave it a good crack’ but struggled to turn the #97 Camaro after heavy contact with Hill.

“It was a crazy race and we got better and better. The WeatherTech Camaro was awesome,” van Gisbergen said.

“In that last restart he (Hill) just drove through me at 1. I guess that is how it is here and I stood up for myself. Once I got into him I just couldn’t get it turned.

“It was pretty awesome racing with AJ and Kyle and then at the end it just turned into a mess, but it was really fun.

“Wish I could have got the lead but Kyle snuck through at the end there.

“Gave it a good crack and just couldn’t quite get there.”

Van Gisbergen noted his improvement following the first stage where he initially led before being caught by Allmendinger.

“My first stint I didn’t drive very well and AJ caught me and then ran away.  I probably could have driven better myself,” he said.

“Then we got the car better and I drove better and we were fast until the end in the lead. It was looking pretty good until those last cautions.

“I was just trying to learn and manage and I got better at them but just got driven through I guess. “I just have to learn how to drive here and fit in.”

On the other side of the fence Hill was not happy with how SVG lifted at the tight turn 1 in the second and final restart in overtime.

“I am frustrated we lost the race but a hell of a job by the team,” Hill said.

“At the restart I thought it was somewhat clean. It seemed like the #97 lifted super early and not sure why.

“He started wheel hopping once I got into the back of him and thought I was doing everything right into turns 15 and 16.

“Ultimately I got ran over and knocked his nose in which shows how hard he ran into me.”

Van Gisbergen will be back in action at 06.30 AEDT tomorrow morning competing in his first NASCAR Cup Series race of the year also at COTA.

Photo by Nigel Kinrade / NKP / LAT Images

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