Solid finish for van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen survived a dramatic NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Martinsville to secure a solid 11th place after a strong charge in the final 40 laps.

As always there was plenty of drama around the contested half mile bull ring that is Martinsville and SVG had a close shave during the second stage when the race was halted for a multi-car smash up.

As cars spun and crashed up high, van Gisbergen snuck down the inside and just missed the rotating #26 of Corey Heim, who was just one of 13 cars involved.

In the final stage van Gisbergen hovered in and around the top 20 before a fast some opportunistic moves in the final 40 laps soared the #97 up to 10th ahead of the final restart with three laps to go and overtime.

Despite losing two spots at the restart, van Gisbergen still came away with a strong result, his equal third best of the season alongside Daytona and only behind his P3 and P6 at Atlanta and Phoenix respectively.

The race was won by Marcos Ambrose’s final NASCAR Cup Series teammate Aric Amirola, who overcame both Sam Mayer and Chandler Smith in a thrilling finish.

The trio were rubbing bumper to bumper three wide coming out of turn 2 at the restart but it was Amirola who held tough and sealed the deal just before the race-ending caution caused by the #98 of Riley Herbst.

Seven cars were sent to the rear which meant van Gisbergen started 13th despite qualifying 19th.

The Kiwi hugged the inside line at the start which paid off to retain a top 15 spot ahead of Clements. 

As the stage progressed and others charged from the back, SVG dropped to 20th.

First major accident was not until lap 35 when Hailie Deegan was spun and hit on the way through.

Stayed out and restarted 19th and held position for the remainder of the stage.

Stage 2 got off to a false start with the red flag being waved for a big pile up that arrived as early as turn 1.

A slow restarting Brandon Jones having a bad shift caused a chain reaction with Amirola and Austin Hill making nose to tail contact, but producing chaos further back, stacking up the outside lane. 

Many cars spun and wrecked in the wall with Anthony Alfredo, Brandon Jones, Logan Bearden, Deegan, AJ Allmendinger, Austin Hill, Corey Heim, Kyle Sieg, Parker Retzlaff, Leland Honeyman, Jeremy Clements, Kyle Weatherman and Dexter Bean.

After a crash occurred on lap 71, the race finally resumed on lap 81 with SVG in the high lane in 14th.

As the stage progressed the #97 fell outside the top 15, but he rejoined them with a late move on Jesse Love in the final laps of Stage 2.

Unfortunately van Gisbergen lost some ground and dropped from 19th to 24th within a handful of laps after lap 150.

A caution for debris saw almost the entire field dive into pit road and the Kaulig Racing driver returned to 20th for the lap 178 restart and immediately jumped both Blaine Perkins and Jeremy Clements.

Worked his way up another position to 17th before the 8th caution arrived for the spun Garrett Smithley.

Van Gisbergen returned to the top 15 with an aggressive move by tapping the rear of Jeb Burton after also passing Josh Williams.

Ryan Sieg smash created a late race restart with just 12 laps to go.

Van Gisbergen made good use of the inside to snatch 13th straight away and even fly up to 10th, while up front Amirola shoved Smith out of the lead before Mayer pounced on the inside.

This exchange occurred just prior to another late caution caused by Matt DiBenedetto, Myatt Snider, Kyle Sieg, Jeremy Clements, who wrecked on the exit of the final corner.

This sent the race into overtime where van Gisbergen lost two spots but still hung tough to get a strong result amid the crazy finish. 

Van Gisbergen returns to the “Lone Star state” next weekend to race at Texas Motor Speedway for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at 3.30 AEST on Sunday, April 13.

Photo by Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / LAT Images

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ THE LATEST DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Latest Podcast: Follow the Easter Trail and more here on the Auto Action RevLimiter

This week we had to work hard for Supercar News, but we found some. It was easier in Speedway with the Easter Trail and the new speedway opening at Eastern Creek.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here