Incident snatches top 10 from van Gisbergen
Shane van Gisbergen put himself in position for a strong result in the second NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta, only to find the fence in Stage 3.
After qualifying a solid 12th, van Gisbergen was sitting ninth and in the fight for victory on Lap 98 of 163 before his hopes were dashed.
The Kaulig Racing driver attempted a “bold move” at the top around the outside of Sammy Smith, but got too high going through Turns 3 and 4 and grazed the wall.
The contact was enough to significantly damage the right hand side of the car #97 Camaro and leave it six laps down in 27th when Austin Hill took the chequered flag to win the Focused Health 250.
It was a blow for the Kiwi, who raced his way as high as sixth and looked set to get close to matching his impressive third at Atlanta earlier in the year.
However, NBC expert commentator Steve Letarte believes it was a strong sign of van Gisbergen finding the limits on ovals.
“I like what he was thinking,” he said.
“We’ve seen the #7 (Allgaier) do that move. You get to the outside of the #8 and then you have position on corner exit (but) there was either a bit of dust up there or he just loose in general.
“That, to me, is SVG learning. Watching the #7 and watching some other guys, he then put his car in that position.
“He made a little mistake and the car could not handle it, but that will go into the notebook.
“Unfortunately, in this situation there is pretty heavy damage.”
Van Gisbergen wasted no time in immediately climbing into the top 10 in the first 12 laps before the opening caution arrived when Anthony Alfredo grazed the wall.
After the first stops the #97 Kaulig Racing Camaro fell to 16th as Allgaier and Hill ran side by side in pursuit of Stage 1 victory.
Following a round of stops van Gisbergen started Stage 2 in 17th, but only needed 10 laps to charge into the top 10 once again.
He was running ninth before Stage 2 was brought to an early end when Sam Mayer’s #1 Camaro burst into flames.
A strong restart saw van Gisbergen soar to sixth in the single file pack at the front of the field led by Gray.
But just when SVG looked set to race for victory, he found the limit and it was effectively game over.
The learning experience will leave him in good stead as he takes on the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta tomorrow from 28th.
Photo by Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / LAT Images
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.
