Shane van Gisbergen’s trip to New Zealand has been mired by wrecks and freak accidents competing in the sprint car events. The Trackhouse Racing star was involved in a violent flip at the Baypark Speedway in Tauranga, New Zealand. Fortunately, SVG didn’t sustain any injuries as he focused on his next events.
But little did he know that he would find himself on the bitter end of another major crash in the coming days. This time around it wasn’t a single car, but a NASCAR-like multi-car pileup that left the onlookers worried at Western Springs Speedway.
Shane van Gisbergen counts his blessings after being caught in a big crash
Be it asphalt, concrete, or dirt, drivers are always pushing the limits when it comes to getting the best possible results. However, the outcome of constant beating and banging also leads to wild crashes and major accidents. And that is exactly what transpired at Western Springs Speedway. Kiwi driver Michael Pickens in the #54 car and Jonathan Allard were the ones who caused a massive pile-up.
Coming off a straightaway run, the two drivers were side by side heading into the corner. With neither of the two drivers backing off, Pickens and Allard got tangled with each other. Allan’s No. 4 car flipped wildly in the air, doing barrel rolls before eventually coming to rest on the fence. Meanwhile, Picken’s car was airborne and hit the catch fence as well.
Shane van Gisbergen wasn’t directly involved in the incident that sparked the crash, but he couldn’t escape from being caught in it. His #97 sprint car ended up getting pinned against the wall, while another race car rammed into him from the side. Dean Cooper and Zachary Sokol were also the drivers that were caught up in this wreck.
“They have no serious injuries and will be released,” a Western Springs Speedway spokesperson said according to a report by the New Zealand Herald. However, a spectator has sustained some minor injuries that came to light in the aftermath of the massive crash. The quick response from the safety team certainly made things smooth and ensured all the drivers involved in the crash were safe and secure.
Well, this incident isn’t going to dampen SVG’s spirit as he looks to complete his sprint car tour before making his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series.
SVG could clinch the rookie of the year title in 2025
The Kiwi speedster’s NASCAR journey started with the inaugural race in the Streets of Chicago. Piloting the #91 Trackhouse Racing car, he scripted history by clinching a victory in his debut appearance. Little did he know that this one result would lead to more opportunities at NASCAR and force his hands into moving to the United States.
Well, he certainly lived up to his expectations competing in the Xfinity Series, racking up multiple wins and making it into the playoffs. For a driver who left a successful career in Supercars and took on a new challenge in a totally new environment, this was indeed a testament to his racing skills. Justin Marks and Co. knew that he was the right fit for Trackhouse in their expansion project, which is why they signed him on a full-time ride in the Cup Series for 2025.
We saw Shane van Gisbergen reign supreme on the road courses. He even learned the tricks of the trade on the ovals, but he will need to bring his A-game to survive at the Cup level. With the likes of Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain, he will bring a new dynamic to the team. This combination could result in a deep run for Trackhouse in the playoffs and see them contend for race wins.
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