Shane Van Gisbergen Crashes in Sprint Car Flip Ahead of NASCAR Entry

Motorsport fans were given quite a scare when Shane Van Gisbergen was involved in a dramatic sprint car crash. This incident happened shortly before his anticipated full-time entrance into the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. The crash shook the spectators at Baypark Speedway in Tauranga, New Zealand, during the second heat race on December 28.

Van Gisbergen’s car flipped after a collision with another vehicle, the first time he had ever experienced such a crash in his impressive racing career.

The crash unfolded as Van Gisbergen, piloting the #97A United Truck Parts Sprintcar, collided with Ayrton Hodgson in the #28M car. It all happened quickly in Turn 1 when Van Gisbergen’s car climbed over Hodgson’s rear wheel, causing the car to take flight followed by several rolls. Remarkably, Van Gisbergen was unharmed, but the damage to the vehicle was severe enough to prevent him from rejoining the later 20-lap feature race, which proceeded without him and was ultimately won by another racer, James Dahm.

Reflecting on the shocking moment, Van Gisbergen shared his thoughts on social media:

“Well, that was my first flip ever. Unfortunately got collected by someone and took a bit of a ride. Thanks to the safety crew for doing an amazing job.

“The United Truck Parts team are having at rebuilding the car and we should be racing tonight at Baypark again.”

Despite the crash, Van Gisbergen showed immense positivity, staying on at the speedway to meet with fans, sign autographs, and be present in a sport he so clearly loves. His team worked tirelessly to repair the car, although the extent of the damage meant a return to the track that night was unlikely.

Shane Van Gisbergen is far more than just a local favorite from Auckland, New Zealand. With three Supercars titles under his belt and strong victories in the Bathurst 1000, he is a towering presence in the sport. His recent foray into the NASCAR scene made headlines when he clinched the win at the 2023 Grant Park 220 in Chicago, mirroring the achievements of NASCAR legend Johnny Rutherford from 1963. His career in NASCAR is expected to grow as he gears up to drive full-time for Trackhouse Racing in their No. 88 Chevrolet ZL1.

The crash also highlights Van Gisbergen’s dedication to a diverse range of motorsports, maintaining an active part in local dirt racing events when not competing internationally.

The Australian racing community is eager to see how his experience on local tracks translates to a full-scale NASCAR career.