“He might be leading the points” - Kaulig Racing president made bold prediction about Shane van Gisbergen after Chicago Xfinity win

There’s something magical about Shane van Gisbergen at Chicago Street Course. He once again proved why he's a road course ringer. Last year, Van Gisbergen surprised with his inaugural Chicago win on his NASCAR Cup debut. And this year, he secured another Chicago win, but in the Xfinity Series on Saturday.

Following the Chicago Xfinity win, SVG’s boss, Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice admitted that he didn’t expect the New Zealander would win three races in his rookie Xfinity season but never doubts his skills on road courses.

Rice is very enthusiastic about Van Gisbergen's performance this season and made a bold prediction for where he might stand at the end of the regular season.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in Chicago, Rice said:

“I didn’t really think SVG would win three, but I don’t ever underestimate him on these road courses.

"Tomorrow’s going to be amazing, but no, I didn’t think he’d have three win stickers on his car. But I’m so excited he does. He might be leading the points when they go into the playoffs with all the playoff points he has.”

With his win at Chicago, Shane van Gisbergen gained 51 points and moved to 11th from 13th place in the Xfinity Series points table with 457 points. He's 200 points behind points table leader Cole Custer, with eight races remaining in the regular season.

---

Chris Rice ecstatic over Shane van Gisbergen's street course dominance

The three-time Supercars champion secured his third win of his rookie Xfinity season after dominating Saturday’s The Loop 110 at Chicago Street Course.

Rice is thrilled about SVG’s impressive performance on street courses. After the race, he thanked everyone who had played a role in making this success possible, and also praised Van Gisbergen for his dominating performance at Chicago.

Rice told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio:

“I’m so jacked up. This is so awesome. To be in Chicago, and all the tall buildings and get the win — but any time you can win is pretty awesome.

"So thanks to Matt Kaulig for making this happen. But Shane van Gisbergen, I mean just amazing. But we’ve built a road course program and then he gets in it and continues to run well.”

As it’s double duty weekend for the 35-year-old New Zealand-born driver, he will be seen in action to repeat his last year’s heroics in the Cup Series on Sunday's Grant Park 165.