SHANE van GISBERGEN
No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro
Shane van Gisbergen qualified 26th for the Explore the Pocono Mountains 225.
The first caution came out on lap three, and the No. 97 team opted to pit for fuel only. The No. 97 Team was forced to drop to the rear of the field for a pit road speeding penalty before the event resumed. Van Gisbergen battled a loose race car but managed to work his way through the field, taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 27th.
The No. 97 WeatherTech team opted to pit under the stage break caution for adjustments, tires and fuel. Van Gisbergen started stage two in 21st after gaining six spots on pit road. Van Gisbergen maintained position through the 20-lap stage and finished 20th. The No. 97 still continued to battle a loose race car on entry and opted to pit during the stage break for adjustments, fuel and tires.
Van Gisbergen started the final stage 20th. A caution came out early in the stage, and the No. 97 opted to stay out and save fuel, restarting the stage in 19th. Van Gisbergen quickly moved his way through the field, entering the top 10 with 27 laps remaining in the race. The No. 97 WeatherTech team pitted under caution for fuel, tires and adjustments with 19 laps remaining. Van Gisbergen restarted the final stage 17th. He re-entered the top 10 with 10 laps remaining in the race. On lap 83, Van Gisbergen was involved in a minor incident, forcing the No. 97 team to pit for new tires, restarting the event in 27th with four laps remaining. Van Gisbergen raced his way into the top 20 before the No. 39 made contact with him, resulting in a 31st-place finish for the No. 97.
"Well that’s gutting! We are getting better and better on these ovals. My No. 97 Kaulig Racing team made a good call on strategy and we had pretty good tires, but just got taken out there at the end two separate times. We had a great WeatherTech Chevy this weekend, just a shame we weren’t able to get top 10."
- Shane van Gisbergen