Regardless of having to pit twice in the course of the break between Phases 2 and three to repair a possible fender rub, van Gisbergen had powered again up the sphere to eleventh in the course of the lengthy inexperienced flag run within the ultimate stage.
When a number of automobiles ran out of gasoline with two of the scheduled 163 laps remaining – and NASCAR was compelled to throw a warning for one stopped on the monitor – van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Kaulig Racing staff took no possibilities and introduced him down pit street for a splash of gasoline.
He lined up eighth on begin of the two-lap additional time. Whereas a number of extra automobiles fell off tempo out of gasoline on the restart, van Gisbergen made his method to third earlier than Austin Hill took the checkered flag for the win.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Kaulig Racing, WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
“Fairly superior,” the 34-year-old Kiwi stated after the race. “Nice job by Bruce (Schlicker, crew chief) on the field there to pit us (earlier than additional time). I had a lot enjoyable. Simply studying about it and operating within the pack.
“Yeah, to be P3 within the second race is fairly superior. I’m stoked.”
The three-time Supercars champion, who’s operating a full Xfinity and partial Cup schedule with Kaulig this 12 months, had a tough season debut final weekend, getting caught up in an accident on Lap 3 of the Daytona ARCA Menards Sequence race.
Final Monday night time’s rain-delayed Xfinity debut produced a significantly better outcome – he completed twelfth and on the lead lap – but in addition included involvement in a single multi-car wreck and a number of other minor mishaps.
Van Gisbergen, who was making simply his fourth begin on an oval monitor in a inventory automobile, was particularly happy to stay out of hassle in Saturday’s race.
“It’s simply good to get a outcome and have a clear automobile, particularly after final week after I received concerned in a lot stuff,” he stated. “So, to have a clear race, not make too many errors, and full each lap, we discovered loads.
“It was superior.”
He leaves Atlanta ninth within the NXS championship standings.
Final July, van Gisbergen grew to become the primary driver in additional than 60 years to win a Cup race in his debut when he took victory within the inaugural Chicago Avenue Race driving for Trackhouse Racing. The victory served because the instigator for the Kiwi to maneuver to NASCAR competitors this season.
Even van Gisbergen’s former Supercars staff saved monitor of his efficiency Saturday.
Throughout qualifying for Race #2 of the Supercars season-opener at Mount Panorama, the Triple Eight Crimson Bull staff watched the race from the Bathurst storage as he competed at Atlanta.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Kaulig Racing, WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
