In a race marked by late-race drama and fan dissatisfaction, New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen delivered a commendable performance at Darlington Raceway, securing a 20th-place finish after starting from the 36th position.
This result is his best oval finish of the NASCAR Cup Series season, leaving behind a bad luck streak and underscoring his adaptability and perseverance on the challenging circuit.
Van Gisbergen’s journey through the field was a testament to his skill and determination. Navigating the “Lady in Black,” he stayed on the lead lap for most of the 293-lap event, minus some pit stop setbacks, a notable achievement given the track’s notorious reputation for testing drivers’ endurance and precision.
The majority of the race was uneventful. Limited passing and spread-out racing resulted in very few battles during the first 250 laps, leaving fans unamused.
The race was dominated by William Byron up front, who showcased a commanding performance by winning both Stage 1 and Stage 2, leading an impressive 243 laps.
Denny Hamlin capitalised on a swift pit stop during a caution with only 4 to go, emerging ahead of previous leaders Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney. Hamlin then maintained his position to clinch the victory.
Larson’s earlier incident had significant implications. After an initial spin on Lap 4, Larson’s car required extensive repairs, and he later returned to the race over 150 laps down.
It was his subsequent spin on the same corner with four laps to go that triggered the decisive caution, ultimately influencing the race’s conclusion.
Despite the on-track developments, fans criticised the race on social media. Many expressed their disappointment, labelling the event as “boring and uneventful,” with some even describing it as “the worst Darlington race of the Next Gen era.”
This sentiment was contributed to by the lack of competitive lead changes and the dominance of a single driver for the majority of the race.
Amidst these critiques, van Gisbergen’s performance provided a silver lining. His ability to advance 16 positions and finish on the lead lap highlights his growing competence and comfort on oval tracks, which are markedly different from the road courses where he initially made his mark.
As he continues to gain experience in the NASCAR Cup Series, performances like this suggest a promising trajectory for the Kiwi driver.
Van Gisbergen’s Trackhouse teammate Ross Chastain finished inside the top 10 in 7th place after starting 25th in an impressive drive, while Daniel Suarez finished 15th after starting back in 30th. The three Trackhouse drivers continue to fall short during qualifying but make solid gains during races.
In conclusion, while the Darlington race may not be remembered for its excitement, Shane van Gisbergen’s determined drive from the back of the pack to a top-20 finish is noteworthy, reflecting his resilience and potential in the series.
The NASCAR Cup Series moves onto Bristol Motor Speedway next week, a track where Van Gisbergen finished 18th in the Xfinity Series last year.
Header Image: Supplied
