New look for van Gisbergen Talladega double

Shane van Gisbergen will be racing with some new colours when he takes on both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series at the wild Talladega this weekend.

Van Gisbergen will make his second start in the top tier NASCAR series at the rapid super speedway in the #16 Kaulig Racing Camaro having recently raced at COTA.

As usual the Kiwi will carry on in his usual #97 Camaro in the Xfinity Series where he currently sits 15th in the standings.

Both cars will adorn different Wendys liveries which will also feature on Macauley Jones’ BJR Supercar at Taupo.

Talladega is one of the most daunting circuits on the NASCAR calendar, being the longest of the season at 2.660 miles.

As cars race in packs, speeds of more than 200mph/320km/h are a common sight at Talladega, which holds the record for the fastest speed by a NASCAR of 216.309 mph (348.116 km/h) set by Rusty Wallace in 2004.

Van Gisbergen has had a taste of racing on a super speedway with his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut taking place at Daytona in February where he came home a strong 12th after a wild night.

On that same weekend SVG also took part in the effective fourth tier ARCA Menards Series and was caught up in an early crash before crossing the line 29th.

Reflecting on his first taste of super speedway racing, van Gisbergen admitted it was “50-50” whether you would crash or not.

“I tried to analyse every wreck (at Daytona), you know all six that I got involved in and I couldn’t figure out a way I could have done things differently,” van Gisbergen said post Daytona.

“You know, it’s just this style with that racing and something I have to accept. 

“You got to run the risk of getting that good result, but you’re probably going to get into a crash and it’s an amazing mindset to go racing.

“I’ve never had to do that before going to race, thinking it’s 50-50 whether you’ll crash or not, so it was pretty different.”

The NASCAR Xfinity Series race is the first assignment on Sunday at 6.00 AEST before the Cup Series race is on Monday at 5.00 AEST.

Don’t forget the latest issue of the free digital version of Auto Action is out now!

Or subscribe to the print edition here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

After a break that feels like months, the Supercars Championship is back and headed across the ditch to Taupo in the middle of the North Island. And yes, Brodie Kostecki will be there! As will the rain.

Somehow, the rain will also be in China for F1’s return to Shanghai. Philip Island was stunning on the weekend, just gone, if a little cold, but we chatted about whether Supercars should return to the land of penguins.

Plus, there’s more… all the news in the way only the Auto Action RevLimiter can deliver.

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