Shane van Gisbergen continues to impress in the world of NASCAR, clinching victory at Sonoma in the Red Bull-backed #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Van Gisbergen has established himself as a formidable competitor, winning three out of four non-oval races this season, including events in Mexico City, Chicago, and Sonoma. The only race he did not win was at the Circuit of the Americas, where he faced challenges with an ill-handling car, ultimately finishing sixth. His dominance has left even seasoned drivers perplexed.
Insights from the Experts
Speaking on the New Zealand radio show Sports Nation, four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy remarked on van Gisbergen’s remarkable ability to qualify for the Playoffs through his road course victories. “He has qualified basically for the Playoffs by winning on road courses and dominating,” Murphy stated. “He’s put himself in an amazing position, and I think it’s changed the way everyone is having to think about how they’re going about qualifying and racing to get themselves into the Playoffs.”
Murphy noted the intriguing comments from established NASCAR champions regarding van Gisbergen’s skill set and his unique approach to handling the car on road and street courses.
Mastering the Art of Road Racing
Van Gisbergen’s prowess on road courses and street circuits stems from his exceptional footwork. While most drivers rely on left-foot braking for speedway races, van Gisbergen has consistently used right-foot braking. Murphy emphasized that van Gisbergen’s background in touring cars makes him an ideal candidate for success in stock car racing, particularly in an environment that is largely unfamiliar to many drivers.
“The funny thing is, it’s all normal for us — for people down here that have been racing touring cars and Supercars,” Murphy explained. “We’ve had races where we start from the start line and we’ve got to learn how to heel and toe and match the revs.” He also mentioned that some drivers, like Kyle Larson, have found it challenging to emulate van Gisbergen’s techniques due to their traditional training on speedways.
Technical Advantages
Murphy elaborated on van Gisbergen’s unique technique, which involves heel-and-toe shifting while manipulating the clutch pedal to prevent rear wheel hop. This method not only conserves tire life but also minimizes the risk of locking the rear wheels during cornering. “Shane manipulates the clutch pedal to avoid this hop, and it’s just so efficient,” Murphy noted. “It looks after the tire and it also guarantees that he’s never going to lock the rears and go off into a corner.”
Progress on Ovals
Murphy also acknowledged van Gisbergen’s gradual improvement on oval tracks. The Trackhouse Racing driver finished 19th at the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, having qualified 11th but suffering from significant vibrations during the race. “He’s making progress [on ovals], even though it might seem slow to people,” Murphy commented. “The oval side of things is just such a massive learn for someone who hasn’t grown up doing that kind of stuff.”
Murphy expressed optimism about van Gisbergen’s future in NASCAR, stating, “His success I think is only just beginning in that formula, and he’s loving it. He’s a guy that wants to race every week, and now he’s got that wish.”
Van Gisbergen’s next race is scheduled for Iowa on Monday, August 4 (AEST).