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Just like 2023, this year's race on the 2.2-mile street circuit in Chicago was plagued by rain. However, this time, Shane van Gisbergen did not end up the victor as the Supercar sensation was pushed into the outside wall by Chase Briscoe's no. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Mustang. While Gisbergen called it an "unfortunate mistake", fans did not let the incident slide.
Shane Van Gisbergen entered the race as the defending winner. Starting 5th, the New Zealander swept Stage 1 and led nine laps before ramming into the wall in turn 6. Unfortunately, the impact caused irreparable damage to the right front of Gisbergen's Chevrolet Camaro, and that ended his day.
NASCAR posted a video of the same and captioned it:
"The day comes to an end early for @shanevg97. #NASCARChicago"
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Several fans reacted to SVG's early exit, with one demanding that Chase Briscoe should be arrested.
"Arrest Chase Briscoe," said the fan.
Another fan expressed their disappointment, saying:
"Damnnn what a shame 🤦♂️"
Here are a few other comments made by fans slamming Chase Briscoe for wrecking Shane van Gisbergen:
"Courtesy of the Untalented loser named Chase Briscoe," a fan said.
"Briscoe sucks always has," added another.
"How Briscoe has a ride is beyond me," a fan wrote.
It was the fifth Cup Series appearance for the three-time Bathurst 1000 winner this season. Shane van Gisbergen won yesterday's Xfinity race at the same venue and was going for a perfect hat-trick in Chicago. Instead, he ended up with a damaged front suspension and a trip to the infield care center. SVG was later examined and released.
Shane van Gisbergen gives Chase Briscoe the benefit of the doubt
Shane van Gisbergen was disappointed at how his opportunity to record the second win of his Cup career slipped away. He was one of the four drivers who got a DNF in the rain-delayed race. However, unlike the fans, SVG did not blame Chase Briscoe.
"I just sort of turned in, looked pretty good and then just got smashed by someone," van Gisbergen recalled in an interview with NBC Sports, "Gutting."
Watching the replay of the incident, he added:
"We’re in the lead for a lot of that race, and I felt good taking off in the rain. “Oh yeah. Yeah, nice one. So that sucks. But it’s an unfortunate mistake by (Chase Briscoe). I’m sure he didn’t mean it, but yeah when he just clipped me, I had nothing I could do."
Needless to say, Shane van Gisbergen was disappointed. He thought he had a fast car and deserved to finish better.
“Of course I’m disappointed,” the former KIWI icon said. “We had a really amazing Camaro there and Kaulig Racing, Trackhouse, they gave us a great car and we’re able to lead and I felt like I was well driving well within myself. So yeah, it’s a shame to be out so early and a shame we couldn’t have a proper crack at it at the end.”
Last year's race was delayed by unfavorable weather conditions as well. However, it ended in dry. This year, several drivers opted for wet tires as it started to rain just before the green flag, but van Gisbergen chose to stay on slicks.
Shane van Gisbergen's next Cup Series race is at the Watkins Glen International on September 15.
