SVG bombs out of million-dollar NASCAR In-Season Challenge

With his win at Sonoma, van Gisbergen progressed to the second round of the million-dollar contest by eliminating RFK Racing’s Ryan Preece.

However, the Trackhouse Racing driver struggled to 25th at Chicagoland while bracket rival Blaney finished seventh in the #12 Team Penske Mustang.

Van Gisbergen qualified 30th and finished Stage 1 in 30th. He improved to 28th in Stage 2 but spent the lion’s share of the race sacrificing track position to make set-up swings.

The team made some improvements as others faded in Stage 3 en route to 25th.

Despite the lacklustre performance, van Gisbergen still sits 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.

Van Gisbergen spins Hill in allegedly ‘blatant’ revenge act

The 267-lap race was won by Chase Briscoe in the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry in an enthralling finish.

His teammate Christopher Bell threatened to take the lead in the dying laps but came up short in the #20 Camry.

Bell got to the rear bumper of Briscoe on the last lap at Turn 1, but got stuck in the aerowash at Turn 2 and ploughed through the corner.

Briscoe clinched victory by a meagre 0.276s, lapping every driver up to 17th.

“How about that race? Was that a good race? It felt awesome,” said Briscoe.

“What an unbelievable weekend. I feel so American winning in the Bass Pro Shop red, white and blue car. Fourth of July Weekend, 250 years, and man what an unbelievable race car.

“James (Small) did a great job. Team did a great job. Honestly did not see this coming. I felt like I was struggling in practice and qualifying.

“Man, just so cool to get this paint scheme back in Victory Lane. What a cool weekend to win a NASCAR race.

“I kind of got lucky. Had a lapped car. Honestly worked out. I was struggling pretty bad and Christopher was certainly coming.

“Out of all the people to race against, I knew Christopher was going to be clean with me.

“Just great that JGR ran one-two. Just a really fun race. I felt like that was as good a race as you can get. Just from the cat and mouse game, slipping and sliding around.”

It was a sweet birthday present for crew chief James Small, who Briscoe paid tribute to.

“Me and him are about the two most polar opposite people in the world. He just stays on me, he makes me be perfect, each and every lap,” said Briscoe.

“He does such a great job of keeping me honest. He told me if I win today I can get some chocolate, so I’m pretty fired up about that.”

The NASCAR Cup Series moves to Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 13.

Results: NASCAR Cup Series eero 400, Chicagoland Speedway