Van Gisbergen proud to pass Ambrose benchmark

Shane van Gisbergen used Marcos Ambrose as a mentor to adjust to the NASCAR world, and now he snatches a “very special” record from the Aussie.

Van Gisbergen took his third NASCAR Cup Series victory on Monday morning at his natural habitat of the streets of Chicago.

Having famously won on debut at Chicago back in 2023, and kicking off his rookie season with a record-breaking win at Mexico, the Kiwi now has three wins in the top tier in addition to his quartet of Xfinity Series races.

As a result, in the space of just two years, van Gisbergen has rocketed from unknown quantity to the most successful foreign driver ever in NASCAR.

A third win saw the Trackhouse Kiwi jump clear of Ambrose, Mexican Daniel Suarez and Colombian Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, who all took two wins.

The most common path SVG has followed is Ambrose’s as they both ventured across the Pacific from Australia.

Whilst Ambrose was a very successful pioneer, it has taken van Gisberegn just two years to beat the high benchmark the former SBR driver set in seven years in the Cup Series.

Van Gisbergen feels the significance of being the best non-American ever to take on the iconic stock car series.

“That’s a very special stat. That’s why I’m here, I guess,” van Gisbergen said. 

“Justin (Marks) took a massive chance on me to bring me over, and as I’ve said many times, these races are like a holiday to me. It’s the ovals where I’m really focused on getting better and better.

“I come here and there’s no stress. People probably think there’s more stress and expectation on us, but I kind of just get excited by it and love driving. 

“It’s the ovals where I know I’m getting better. I’m not stressed about it and I’m not forcing it, but I love trying to progress and get better and better.

“But to be a foreigner here, there’s not many of us who have broken into the sport and stayed here for too long, and pretty cool to be here, that’s for sure.”

Van Gisbergen is still well aware not a single part of his American dream would have become true if it was not for the Project 91 drive in 2023.

It all started in Chicago and two years later the same streets see the Kiwi soar to new heights.

“This joint, it’s changed my life,” van Gisbergen said. 

“I didn’t have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I’d be in NASCAR full time.

“It’s pretty special here, some good memories, and some good races. I love the track. It’s a cool place to come to. 

“You feel a nice vibe. You feel a good vibe in the mornings walking to the track with the fans. It’s pretty unique like that.

“I enjoy it and I hope it stays next year. B

“ut as the guys were saying, when I arrived, I’m biased. 

“Obviously I love street circuits, but if we go to a new place, I’m all for that, as well.”

Image: NASCAR

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