A Pole Position Gone Wrong
Shane van Gisbergen’s weekend in San Diego ended abruptly when a 12th‑lap incident in stage two sent his car into the wall.
The New Zealander had started from pole position and had already led seven laps, showcasing the kind of road‑course prowess that has yielded six victories in the last eight such events.
The crash was sparked by a separate collision involving Austin Hill and Connor Zilisch, a moment that turned the tide for van Gisbergen, who was forced to retreat to the garage.
Road‑Course pedigree under pressure
Although the incident cost him a potential win and valuable points in the Chase, the driver remains unfazed, focusing on the upcoming Sonoma road‑course race where he will again start from the front.
Since entering the Cup Series, van Gisbergen has watched a string of races slip away, with finishes outside the top 30 in three consecutive outings, a pattern that has left many points on the table.
His team, Trackhouse Racing, continues to back his road‑course ambitions, while his partnership with JR Motorsports adds depth to his developmental program.