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Already in a back-up car after a crash in Practice, van Gisbergen lost the rear of the #97 Kaulig Racing entry as he ran through the bottom lane of Turn 2 on Lap 87.
The New Zealander wiggled into Blaine Perkins (#29 RSS Racing Ford) as he tried to catch it before being shunted by Kyle Weatherman (#91 DGM Chevrolet) and spinning into the wall.
Van Gisbergen, who was running in 25th at the time of the crash, was able to exit his damaged Chevrolet Camaro under his own power but is now out of the 250-lap race.
.@shanevg97 goes for a slide and collects multiple cars. pic.twitter.com/BtdfOCbV2g
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) June 15, 2024
“I just got loose; [I had] a guy on top of me,” he said on NBC Sports after being released from the circuit medical centre, per protocol.
“We just stayed out, got back on the lead lap, getting more and more confidence, and just got loose and tried to sort of spin in the middle and someone collected me.
“So, my fault again. Gutted for the Kaulig Racing guys – two cars ruined there – and Kubota, Chevrolet, thanks for everyone supporting us but gutted to do that again.”
Asked what boxes he ticked while learning short tracks, van Gisbergen quipped, “It’s the first time I’ve crashed out of a race, really,” before adding, “No, it’s gutting.
“But, learned a lot all weekend. We actually had some speed yesterday, which was cool.
“The car today was a little bit difficult, so, try again next week.”
Van Gisbergen would have started on the front row alongside Austin Hill (#21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet), days after their most recent run-in, given Qualifying was cancelled due to rain.
Instead, he was sent to the rear of the 38-car field after the crash in Practice forced him to a back-up car, and he spent the opening portion of the Race running somewhere from 32nd to 34th.
Hill led the first lap before he was passed by Justin Allgaier (#7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet), who was overtaken by Chandler Smith (#81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) on Lap 15.
Van Gisbergen was lapped on Lap 29, before a Caution was called on Lap 33 in response to Kaulig team-mate AJ Allmendinger (#16 Chevrolet) crashing at Turn 4 after his right-front tyre failed.
Unfortunately for van Gisbergen, he was third of those off the lead lap and three drivers including second-placed John Hunter Nemechek (#20 JGHR Toyota) stayed out rather than pitting.
Nemechek led the field to the restart on Lap 42 but slid high and Jeremy Clements (#51 Jeremy Clements Racing Chevrolet) took over top spot, until he was passed by Chandler Smith on Lap 49.
Van Gisbergen, who did pit during the Caution, continued to run just outside the top 30.
The 75-lap opening stage came to a slightly premature end when Jeb Burton (#27 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet) scraped the wall and triggered a Caution, locking in 10 points for Chandler Smith as van Gisbergen assumed 30th, third of those off the lead lap.
The three-time Bathurst 1000 winner stayed out and got his lap back, taking the Lap 83 restart in 26th as Chandler Smith continued to hold first position.
Van Gisbergen was timed in 25th position when he had his crash, bringing about the day’s third Caution.
UPDATE: Sam Mayer (#1 JRM Chevrolet) beats Riley Herbst (#98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) to victory in an Overtime finish
The series moves on to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend.
