Shane van Gisbergen’s difficult day at Daytona has continued, with an 11-car pile-up at Daytona International Speedway putting him 26 laps off the pace in the ARCA Menards Series.
Having only managed to qualify for the race after CCM Racing’s Eric Caudell, who had qualified 17th, withdrew, elevating the Kiwi to the 34th of 34 automatic qualifying slots, his Daytona debut appeared over in a matter of minutes.
Van Gisbergen had made a good start, entered the top 20 early, and sat 19th when an incident ahead claimed 11 victims.
Toni Breidinger and Jason Kitzmiller were battling on the outskirts of the top ten, with the latter bumping the rear of the former and putting her into a spin, which caused the chain reaction.
Ironically, Kitzmiller sports the #97 in the ARCA Menards Series.
Van Gisbergen took the high side but was one of several spinners from contact, his car venturing down low, facing the wrong way and making contact with several others.
He was able to limp to pit lane, with the Fox News broadcast showing his car severely damaged.
He has returned to the track on Lap 30 of 80, 26 laps off the pace.
In a 40-strong field, nine other entries have suffered a similar fate thus far.
As per protocol, Van Gisbergen was checked in the in-field medical centre before being released.
He will return to action on Sunday in the Xfinity Series, qualifying at 5.30 am and racing at 10.30 am. Both sessions will be streamed live on ThreeNow.
Header Image: Flo Racing
