Shane van Gisbergen won’t be able to repeat his winning heroics at Chicago Grant Park as he takes an early exit after being caught up in a wreck. After just a few laps into Stage 2, with most of the field on wet weather tires, Chase Briscoe overshot his exit coming into turn 6, and crashed his race car into the tire barrier.
Despite the hard contact, the No. 14 Ford Mustang came out of the incident unscathed. But Shane van Gisbergen wasn’t lucky in that regard, as Briscoe, before hitting the tire barriers, made contact with the rear end of SVG’s car, sending him hard into the wall.
Unlike Biscoe, the Kiwi speedster was unable to get his race car moving as it had taken a nasty hit. Ultimately, he was seen taking his gloves off and coming out of his car, which was stalled on the racetrack. Confirming his exit from the race, the driver, via the team radio, said, “Day’s over.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Of course, I’m disappointed. We had a really amazing Camaro there, and Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse they gave us a great car, and we were able to lead, and I felt I was driving well within myself, so yeah, it’s a shame to be out so early and shame we couldn’t have a proper crack at the end here,” Shane van Gisbergen said in an interview after his early elimination.
Chase Briscoe slid into Shane van Gisbergen, causing SVG to hit the wall.
The defending Chicago winner is done for the day. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/0hjB8YFi8A
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 7, 2024
And just like that, the prime contender to win the Chicago Street Race was taken out of contention. Although this was an unfortunate sequence of racing with Briscoe losing control of his car and colliding with SVG, the fans certainly didn’t view it in that manner.
As Briscoe’s move ends Shane van Gisbergen’s race in Chicago, frustrations reach a new level
What’s your perspective on:
SVG's heartfelt admission—Is Chase Briscoe to blame for his struggles?
Have an interesting take?
The Kiwi fans took it to heart, as their favorite race car driver, SVG, certainly has taken over the NASCAR scene, all thanks to his racecraft. But the sight of him leaving his racecar after being clipped by Chase Briscoe brought out some strong reactions from the fans, who said things that one wouldn’t generally, “Briscoe is dead to me.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Another fuming fan went on a rant, stating that he was in disbelief and, as a result, started questioning his talent. The fans couldn’t agree on how even Briscoe has a ride this season and next year with Joe Gibbs Racing. The driver was recently announced as the replacement for Martin Truex Jr in the No. 19, “I’ll never know how Briscoe has a ride for both this year and next year.”
Even supporters as far as in New Zealand were gutted to see Shane van Gisbergen taken out of the race by a muck-up sparked by the Stewart Haas Racing driver. According to the fan, as he wrote, “Chase briscoe is banned from New Zealand.”
Not all the traditional Cup drivers are as accustomed to road course racing. But now that multiple road races are featured on the schedule, perhaps the driver could’ve prepared better to avoid making such mistakes. Voicing the same suggestion as the SHR driver, a fan wrote, “Someone need to teach Briscoe how to drive.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While another took a jibe at his skills and talent as a race car driver, this fan couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Chase Briscoe has secured a seat at a team like JGR for next season. “how did Briscoe get a ride for next season?💀 jus took out svg.”
All Shane van Gisbergen can now do is watch the race like a regular viewer. This was indeed a bitter blow to him and his team, Kaulig Racing.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
SVG's heartfelt admission—Is Chase Briscoe to blame for his struggles?