Shane van Gisbergen capped off his US Legend Car season in style, claiming his first-ever oval victory during the final round of the Cook Out Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway earlier today.
The Kiwi star entered the finale sitting sixth in the Pro Series driver standings with 684 points, just 46 shy of leader Tyler Reif, and delivered a commanding performance to end the campaign on a high.
After qualifying third, van Gisbergen wasted little time charging to the front in the 25-lap feature, overtaking early and settling into a tight battle with pole-sitter Jake Bollman.
With 14 laps remaining, he made the decisive move for the lead and held on under pressure to take the chequered flag by just 0.417 seconds.
The win comes one week after van Gisbergen finished second to 13-year-old Keelan Harvick, the son of NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick, in a thrilling race that hinted at what was to come.
Van Gisbergen celebrated in style, lighting up the infield grass with donuts before heading to victory lane.
“Yeah, first-ever oval win, pretty cool,” van Gisbergen said post-race.
“I had a blast. The Summer Shootout has been great, fun Tuesday nights. Thanks to Team SSR and Joe Ryan Race Cars, we’ve had a blast, Bubba, Scotty and I.”
Team SSR teammate and fellow New Zealander Scott McLaughlin also wrapped up his summer campaign, finishing ninth in the feature after starting from eighth. McLaughlin was in the thick of the action mid-pack, dicing for positions throughout the race.
Bubba Wallace, the third member of the SSR trio, arrived late after media commitments following his NASCAR Cup Series win at Indianapolis. Unable to qualify, Wallace started from the rear in 16th and recovered to finish 15th.
With his US Legend Car stint now complete, van Gisbergen’s focus shifts back to the NASCAR Cup Series, where he’ll line up this weekend at Iowa Speedway before heading to Watkins Glen the following week.
Header Image: Charlotte Motor Speedway
