The three-time Supercars champion endured a challenging start to his ARCA season opener, completing only three laps in the race before being caught up in a multi-car wreck on lap 4 out of 100.
Van Gisbergen, 34, found himself entangled in the chaos after Gus Dean lost control, prompting a chain reaction that involved numerous cars, including his Venturini Motorsports teammate Toni Breidinger.
Reflecting on the incident, van Gisbergen expressed frustration, stating, “I didn’t last long in that race. It sucked.” Despite his efforts to navigate through the unfolding mayhem, he was unable to avoid being hit from behind, leading to his premature exit from the competition.
Despite the setback, van Gisbergen’s team worked diligently to repair his No. 28 Chevrolet, allowing him to rejoin the race after 25 laps. However, his hopes of a strong finish were dashed as he ultimately crossed the line in 29th place.
Van Gisbergen had entered the ARCA season opener with Pinnacle Racing Group as part of his preparation for his upcoming Xfinity Series debut.
However, his day started on a challenging note as he struggled to qualify, failing to secure a spot in the 40-car field on speed initially. Fortunately, an opportunity arose when another team withdrew, granting him entry into the race.
Originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, the race was rescheduled to late Friday night following the NASCAR Truck race due to anticipated inclement weather throughout the weekend.
Van Gisbergen’s venture into NASCAR follows his historic debut in the Cup series last July, where he clinched victory at the inaugural Chicago Street Race, becoming the first driver in over 60 years to achieve such a feat.
This success served as a catalyst for his transition to NASCAR competition, committing to full-time participation in the Xfinity Series this season, along with at least seven Cup races.
With an illustrious career spanning over 500 starts in Supercars since 2007, van Gisbergen boasts an impressive record of 81 wins, including championships in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, he has secured victory in three of the last four Bathurst 100s and was the runner-up in the GTD class at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2015.
While van Gisbergen has prior experience in the Daytona 24 Hours, his familiarity with the track’s 2.5-mile oval course was limited to a two-day ARCA test in January, underscoring the challenges he faced in adapting to the new environment.
