The ‘massive day’ van Gisbergen is braced for
Shane van Gisbergen will defend his Chicago Street Race title with a “saucy” livery, but it will be an extremely busy weekend behind the wheel.
Van Gisbergen will not only look to repeat his NASCAR Cup Series heroics from his famous debut last year, but also chase more success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
It means the Kiwi will have a “massive day” on Saturday where he will be jumping between his two Kaulig Racing Camaros across five separate sessions.
In the space of just three and half hours, van Gisbergen would have taken part in practice and qualifying sessions in both the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series.
Then the Kiwi will jump back into the #97 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 race at 5.30 AEST on Sunday morning.
Unlike the ovals, where the fight for pole is a cut-throat single-lap affair, qualifying will be split into two phases concluding with the fastest 10 cars chasing pole.
Whilst the big prize is on the following day at 6.30 AEST Monday morning, van Gisbergen knows Saturday will be a big test in and out of the car.
“Saturday is going to be a massive day for me. But I’m excited for that one,” van Gisbergen told AUTO ACTION in an exclusive interview with Andrew Clarke.
“It’s going to be a difficult one. Saturday I’ve got practice and qualifying and a race in Xfinity and then straight to practising and qualifying in the Cup Car.”
Van Gisbergen is also certain he will face greater opposition this year, expecting the NASCAR drivers to learn and improve a lot after their first taste of street racing in 2023.
“It should be good for me, but everyone else will be better too – knowing what to expect, more road courses and the simulations will be better and everything,” SVG continued.
“Both days should be good races and it’s going to be a big one for WeatherTech – actually, they’re from Chicago.
“It’s very cool to have that sort of partnership building and hopefully we can put on a show at their home race.”
Read more from van Gisbergen in an exclusive one on one interview in AUTO ACTION Digital below.
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