Connor Zilisch reflected on his intense late-race battle with Shane van Gisbergen during the Xfinity Series event on July 5 at the Chicago Street Course, where he lost the lead after an aggressive inside move by van Gisbergen. The 18-year-old driver admitted that if he had anticipated the Shane van Gisbergen aggressive racing move, he would have defended the inside line more firmly.
With just two laps remaining, Zilisch and van Gisbergen were locked side-by-side fighting for the lead through turn 1 on the streets of Chicago. The JRM teammates entered the corner together, but van Gisbergen managed to run Zilisch wide, causing the young driver to contact the barrier and lose the top position. Despite Zilisch’s efforts to recover, van Gisbergen opened a gap and secured the win by 0.823 seconds.
After the race, Zilisch explained the key moment in the battle and what he would change in his defense strategy.
“Just before the brake zone I got called to clear and I didn’t take it because I wanted to be on the inside for turn two expecting us to exit turn one, side by side. And you know if I knew that I wouldn’t have exited turn one, side by side and he was going to take it and clear himself, I would have blocked and protected the inside line more,” he said via X/Bob Pockrass.
“So yeah. I definitely would have done it differently, knowing what his plan was. But you know that’s racing and you know it wasn’t dirty. It was just aggressive and something I’ll take note of something I’ll take note of,” he added.
Prior to this head-to-head, Zilisch endured setbacks including hitting the wall in practice, which compromised his qualifying attempts and forced him to start near the back of the field in 35th place. Nevertheless, the #88 car impressively carved through the pack to challenge for victory before narrowly missing out on the top step.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Perspectives on His Battle with Connor Zilisch
While van Gisbergen managed to fend off Zilisch’s late charge and claim victory, his race was far from straightforward. He encountered carburetor problems and strategic miscalculations during his second Xfinity Series start, but a timely pit stop for fresh tires enabled him to pull ahead when it mattered most.
In a post-race interview with CW Sports, van Gisbergen shared his thoughts on facing off against his JRM teammate.
“Yeah, he’s a great young driver… I thought that was my opportunity and took it, and yeah. It was an awesome 1-2 for the team,” he said [0:51 onwards].
The podium finish marked Zilisch’s seventh top-five placing this season, propelling him to fifth in the driver standings with 571 points and an average finish of 11. Both drivers are now set to meet again at Sonoma Raceway next week, promising another competitive showdown.
The Implications of the Chicago Street Course Duel
This intense exchange showcased both drivers’ determination and highlighted Zilisch’s rapid rise as a competitive force in the Xfinity Series. His ability to recover from a poor starting position and challenge an experienced competitor like van Gisbergen underscores his potential. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen’s aggressive move and successful defense illustrate his racing savvy and adaptability despite mechanical challenges.
Looking ahead, their continuing rivalry is expected to add excitement at Sonoma Raceway, as Zilisch aims to learn from this encounter and potentially reverse the outcome. Their battles not only impact the championship standings but also contribute to the development and recognition of a young driver poised to shape the future of the series.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes he made the right choice by leaving Supercars to try his luck in NASCAR. This year, he’s starting his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing, after spending 15 years racing in Supercars.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I’m leaving V8 Supercars for personal reasons that I prefer to keep private. I’ll be returning to New Zealand but haven’t decided on future plans yet.
