Kiwis rule in US - Van Gisbergen, Dixon title double
Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday.
It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963.
It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race.
"Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said.
"This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time."
Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way.
"He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen."
In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career.
Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch.
Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way.
The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago.
- with Reuters
Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double.
Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday.
It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963.
It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race.
"Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said.
"This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time."
Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way.
"He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen."
In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career.
Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch.
Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way.
The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago.
- with Reuters
Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double.
Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday.
It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963.
It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race.
"Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said.
"This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time."
Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way.
"He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen."
In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career.
Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch.
Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way.
The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago.
- with Reuters
Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double.
Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday.
It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963.
It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race.
"Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said.
"This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time."
Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way.
"He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen."
In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career.
Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch.
Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way.
The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago.
- with Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
12 hours ago
- West Australian
Western Force's Simon Cron, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy named in AUNZ invitational side
Having already impressed against the British and Irish Lions, a pair of Western Force starters — and their coach — will get a chance at an encore in Adelaide this week. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Mac Grealy will be the Force representatives named in the AUNZ squad to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday in their final tune-up before the Wallabies Tests begin. Force coach Simon Cron will also serve as an assistant to departing Reds and incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss. The AUNZ invitational squad, which features players from both Australia and New Zealand, was officially unveiled today following the drip-feeding of several members over the past month. Hooker Paenga-Amosa, who had an injury-affected first season out west, showed his class against the Lions in the Force's clash with them at Optus Stadium. The Wallabies front-rower helped the Force turn the tables on the Lions' scrum and after he missed out on selection for Australia's squad to face Fiji, Paenga-Amosa will have another chance to catch Joe Schmidt's eye. Grealy's selection comes after his impressive showing against the Lions, where he repeatedly threatened with the ball in hand. The outside back finished the match with a team-high 71 carry metres and nine broken tackles. Eight All Blacks have been named in the 30-man squad, and a host of Super Rugby Pacific-based Kiwi stars have also been included, such as Hoskins Sotutu. There are also nine former Wallabies in the side, including Darcy Lancaster, who impressed for the Waratahs against the Lions over the weekend and has been linked with a move to the Force. Two-time John Eales Medalist Marika Koroibete has flown in from Japan for the game after the winger struggled to impress Schmidt for the Wallabies last year.
ABC News
13 hours ago
- ABC News
Shane van Gisbergen wins the NASCAR Chicago Street Race to complete a perfect weekend
It was hot in Chicago this week, but Shane van Gisbergen was even hotter. The road course ace roared to the lead on Lake Shore Drive and ran away from the field in a nine-lap shootout, winning Sunday's third annual Grant Park 165, the NASCAR Cup Series' Chicago Street Race. The Trackhouse Racing driver, who won Saturday's Xfinity Race and the Cup race's pole, got his number 88 Chevrolet past leader Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left and had a 2.5 second lead over Ty Gibbs before a caution on the final lap gave him his second win of 2025. The victory was the Auckland, New Zealand native's third in 33 career starts and helped Chevrolet to sweep three victories in the streets of Chicago. He started the weekend by winning the pole for the Sunday race. The 36-year-old Supercars champion then backed up his first career Cup victory in the Second City in 2023 by doing it again. "What an amazing weekend for me," said van Gisbergen, who led 26 laps and dominated the series last month on Mexico City's road layout. "We made no mistakes, and there were some really fast cars." Van Gisbergen said the weather was a problem. "It was just so hot this weekend," he said. "The track was very slick, and the times were a lot slower. The margin for error was very tiny. Just had to get it right." Chevrolet was first to the checkered flag for the third time in the past five races. Gibbs posted a season-best finish with the runner-up showing in his black Toyota. "I feel like I wasn't free enough to hit my points," the number 54 Joe Gibbs Racing driver said. "We had a good day overall just need to be faster." Following Gibbs were Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Michael McDowell led a race-high 31 laps but developed a stuck throttle midway through the race and finished 32nd. With the entire Hendrick Motorsports stable starting at the rear of the 40-car field due to failed qualifying runs or repairs, four drivers holding play-off spots had to work to move through the field. Alex Bowman finished eighth, while Kyle Larson was 13th. Chase Elliott ended up 16th, and points leader William Byron came in last. In what may have been NASCAR's final run in the Windy City's usually busy streets, race favourite van Gisbergen led the field from the pole position, but Row 1 starter McDowell snagged the lead in less than half a circuit. Carson Hocevar caused the first caution on Lap 4 when he bounced off the apron of Turn 10 and smacked the outside wall, coming to rest as seven cars, including Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski, piled into Hocevar's number 77 car as it sat sideways against the outer barrier. While much of the field pitted, McDowell stayed on the 3.54 kilometre (2.2-mile) course, leading every circuit to beat Busch and Reddick for the top bonus points as Stage 1 ended at Lap 20. Ryan Blaney put his number 12 Ford in position to claim 10 segment points as Stage 2 concluded on Lap 45. Briscoe, Reddick, Bowman and Bubba Wallace trailed the Team Penske driver. Reuters
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Kiwis rule in US - Van Gisbergen, Dixon title double
Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters Shane van Gisbergen and veteran Scott Dixon have delivered a day of New Zealand dominance in US motorsport with a mighty title double. Three-time Supercars champion van Gisbergen completed a weekend sweep on the Chicago Street Course, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky downtown circuit on Sunday. It was van Gisbergen's second victory of the season and his third career Cup win, havingalso triumphed in Chicago in 2023 when he became the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. It capped a dominant weekend for the 36-year-old Kiwi who won the second-tier Xfinity Series race from the pole Saturday. He also was the top qualifier for the Cup race. "Epic weekend for us. I'm a lucky guy," van Gisbergen said. "This joint, it's changed my life. "I didn't have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I first came over here, and I never thought I'd be in NASCAR full time." Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog moved into downtown Chicago with thunderstorms in the forecast, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. "He's the best road course stock car racer that I've ever seen," van Gisbergen's Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks said. "I think when he's done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he's going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen." In Lexington, Ohio, Dixon extended a remarkable streak when he notched his first win of the IndyCar season at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The New Zealander, who turns 45 later this month, has now won an IndyCar Series race in every season since 2005, a 21-year streak. It marks the 59th victory of his illustrious career. Dixon drove his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to victory lane after teammate and series leader Alex Palou made a crucial error down the stretch. Palou had a slight lead with five laps to go but ran wide as his No. 10 car reached Turn 9. The Spaniard slowed down in the dirt and Dixon made it past him, taking the lead the rest of the way. The win was timely for Dixon, who entered the week tied for fourth in the points race and last got the chequered flag at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix 13 months ago. - with Reuters
