The pushing and shoving began in Turn 1 on the first lap of the double overtime attempt in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Circuit of The Americas. Austin Hill was the instigator, pushing Shane van Gisbergen toward the first turn and eventually pushing him out of the way to the race lead. A lap later, van Gisbergen did some pushing of his own on Hill’s back bumper and even caved in the nose of his Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.
Neither driver went to victory lane. Kyle Larson took advantage of their disagreement and drove past both of them, while van Gisbergen got the best of Hill off the final turn to cross the finish line second (before being penalized 30 seconds for cutting the course). Hill still seemed upset after the checkered flag, but eventually cooler heads – even if their views differed – prevailed by the time the field parked on pit road.
It was van Gisbergen’s first feud, if that’s even the right way to describe it, since coming to NASCAR.
“That last restart, he just drove through me at (Turn) 1,” van Gisbergen told Fox Sports. “Yeah, I guess that’s how it is here. I just stood up for myself.”
Because van Gisbergen had a smile on his face, it was hard to tell how upset he truly was at the incident. But that’s what makes van Gisbergen such a fascinating character and a breath of fresh air in the NASCAR world.
He’s always smiling and seemingly having fun, whether it’s Superspeedway racing at Daytona, hybrid racing at Atlanta, experiencing the effects of aero at Las Vegas, giving an interview outside the infield care center, or answering any question thrown his way (including repeated ones about his transition to NASCAR) – van Gisbergen even smiles when facing cameras about having to get physical on the racetrack.
It’s a welcome sight and adds to the van Gisbergen experience. This time one year ago, van Gisbergen wasn’t even a thought in the NASCAR space, and he isn’t supposed to be here in the capacity that he is. Winning on the streets of Chicago with Trackhouse Racing last summer changed his career while giving NASCAR and its fans someone new to be fascinated with.
There is no denying van Gisbergen is delivering. There hasn’t been a return trip to victory lane yet, but he is quickly taking to his new environment. He earned three top-12 finishes in his first four races, and it would have been five had it not been for the penalty Saturday at Circuit of the Americas.
There is no reason not to want to watch van Gisbergen. No one can deny his talent or resume: van Gisbergen is a three-time Australian Supercars champion and a winner of the Bathurst 1000. He is fully capable of getting the job done in NASCAR and showcasing a new personality.
In relocating to the United States, van Gisbergen is going through a culture and career change, and he’s fully invested in everything that comes with it and embracing a new challenge. Or, as van Gisbergen is used to explaining by now, getting outside of his comfort zone and not being shy about how much fun he’s having in the process.
SVG truly is a new face in a new place. NASCAR and its fans have usually seen or heard of a driver coming through its ranks because they would have competed at one of the lower levels, or they were tabbed as a talent to watch by those who keep an eye on grassroots racing.
But van Gisbergen came out of nowhere. Not only that, but he’s also easy to like and, thus far, hasn’t had a problem putting himself out there. van Gisbergen has appeared on podcasts with Corey LaJoie and Kevin Harvick, has obliged a media center appearance nearly every weekend, and even spent time with members of the National Motorsports Press Association before the season started.
“It’s friggin’ cold,” van Gisbergen quipped at the time about one of the differences about moving.
On the food in the United States: “You can get most things here, but everything you get there’s a lot of. So, got to be disciplined, I guess.”
And the media coverage?
“It’s a lot here,” van Gisbergen said. “The questions are better.”
So, what does van Gisbergen get asked in New Zealand?
“Just the same (expletive) every time,” he said with a laugh.
Everything is roses for van Gisbergen right now in his NASCAR venture, and maybe that’ll change throughout a long season. But it sure is nice having such a “good vibes only” type of guy around.