Kevin Harvick awards Shane van Gisbergen’s Sonoma celebrations with the ‘best burnout’ of the year

Kevin Harvick has named Shane van Gisbergen's post-race celebration as the 'best burnout' of the 2024 NASCAR season. The 35-year-old Kiwi claimed his second consecutive Xfinity career win at Sonoma Raceway followed by a burnout along the asphalt track.

Former Cup Series champion Harvick with co-hosts Mamba Smith and Kaitlyn Vincie nominated three burnout celebrations of NASCAR drivers. Two of the three were of Team Penske driver Joey Logano and his All-Star race burnout followed by his 2024 Cup Series championship win at Phoenix Raceway. However, the rookie Xfinity driver van Gisbergen got the nod.

During the latest episode of the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick emphasized how the final moments of the road course Xfinity race added an essence to the burnout. He also noted the camera following the #97 Chevy with a bird's eye view and said:

"Just the way that whole thing unfolded and you had to go back and look at the bird hanging out the window. And the burnout right next to the car. And we didn't show it right there, but he followed him all the way back to pit road and just kind of hounded him all the way back to pit road. And then once he went on the pit lane, went to the front straightaway and did his burnout. So that was definitely that was one of the more unique moments of the burnout that I've ever seen." [0:20]

The three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen's first Xfinity triumph was at the Portland International Raceway, the weekend prior to Sonoma. The now former Kaulig Racing driver then went on to win his third race at the Chicago Street Circuit.

SVG had previously taken the spotlight for driving through the victory lane of the inaugural Cup Series race on the streets of Chicago last year. Moreover, with his part-time stint in the 2024 Cup Series season, the New Zealander has secured a ride in NASCAR's premier division, and will be piloting the #88 Chevy Camaro for Trackhouse Racing.

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"I've had a really good year": Shane van Gisbergen reflected on his rookie Xfinity season with Kaulig Racing

Shane van Gisbergen competed in several races in the Cup Series, driving the #16 Chevy for Kaulig Racing in 2024. His best Cup Series result was a runner-up finish at the Go Bowling at The Glen race at Watkins Glen International.

With only a season's experience of running on the ovals, van Gisbergen reflected on his 2024 Xfinity season and is grateful for his Xfinity Series experience before jumping into the Cup.

In a conversation with Frontstretch, van Gisbergen said:

"I've had a really good year and I'm glad we got to do this year with Kaulig Racing, did a year of Xfinity rather than jumping straight into Cup. I've had a really good year of learning and even though the cars are very very different, I think it was worthwhile doing so."

He continued:

"I'm pretty excited for next year and getting together with the Trackhouse guys but thankful to Kaulig Racing, what they've done for me and how they've helped me prepare for next year." [00:25]

Despite being a veteran in the motorsports world, Shane van Gisbegren is still a rookie on the oval circuits. His dominant presence is notably visible at the road course and street course races.