In an impressive display of skill and determination, reigning Repco Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen showed his prowess on the track by clinching a dominant victory in Sunday’s race at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight. This achievement keeps his hopes for a third-straight title in 2023 alive and well.
The talented driver’s win marked his fourth triumph of the 2023 season and his first victory since Race 7 at the Perth SuperSprint, a remarkable three months ago. Adding to the celebrations, this victory also holds special significance as it marks his ninth win at Sydney Motorsport Park, while simultaneously extending Triple Eight Race Engineering’s impressive Supercars record to 249 wins.
Currently, van Gisbergen has surged up to the third position in the points standings, just 54 points behind the current leader and last night’s race winner, Brodie Kostecki, who finished eighth in today’s race. The Kiwi’s fellow countryman, Andre Heimgartner, secured the second position, securing his fourth runner-up finish of 2023.
It’s worth noting that Shell’s Anton De Pasquale made an impressive comeback after a challenging Saturday night race, finishing third in the afternoon’s contest. His last-lap overtaking move past van Gisbergen’s teammate, Broc Feeney, secured the final podium spot for the Mustang.
Speaking of his win, van Gisbergen expressed his gratitude to the team for their unwavering support, stating, “I have to thank the team so much. They haven’t given up on me. I’ve been struggling a bit but they’ve rebuilt this car, changed the chassis, they’ve done so much work. It’s so cool to be back here [in victory lane]. Back on the right track.”
Despite the impressive win, the post-race press conference offered a glimpse into van Gisbergen’s future plans. When asked about the 2024 season and the possibility of racing full-time in NASCAR, the Kiwi indicated a strong interest, stating, “I don’t know if I’ll be full-time. When Speedcafe asked him to clarify if that meant he intended to switch full time he responded “Yes”.
Shane will now fly to the United States to compete once again in NASCAR with team Trackhouse for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on August 14.
As the Red Bull Ampol Racing team celebrated their Sunday win, it became evident that the championship race remains fiercely competitive, with the top four contenders separated by just 67 points after 19 races.
With this remarkable victory, van Gisbergen continues to showcase his talents on the track, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this gifted driver in the world of motorsport. As the season progresses, the excitement and anticipation continue to build, setting the stage for an exhilarating end to the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship.
