Shane van Gisbergen has crashed out of a soggy NASCAR race on the streets of Chicago after he was collected by an out-of-control rival while in contention for victory.
Having won the first stage of the race, the Kiwi superstar was sitting in fifth when he was clipped by Chase Briscoe on lap 25.
Under brakes for a tight left-hander, Briscoe lost control in the wet and slid towards the cars in front of him.
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Shane van Gisbergen was taken out of a wet race in Chicago after he was clipped by an out-of-control Chase Briscoe. Twitter
He only barely touched van Gisbergen’s rear bumper – it didn’t so much as leave a mark on the Kiwi’s car – but it was enough to send the three-time Supercars champion into the concrete wall on the outside and out of the race.
Briscoe crashed heavily into a tyre barrier.
“I just sort of turned in, looked pretty good, and then just got smashed by someone,” van Gisbergen said.
“It’s gutting.”
Van Gisbergen’s car towed off track after the crash. Getty
Van Gisbergen was less than impressed after seeing the replay.
“Yeah, nice one. That sucks but it’s an unfortunate mistake by him – I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” he said.
“When he just clipped me, there was nothing I could do.”
Shortly after the wreck, the race was stopped to give NASCAR time to clear standing water from the makeshift track. The drivers returned to their cars about an hour later, but the delay continued when another cell passed over the course.
Van Gisbergen earlier in the race. Getty
Van Gisbergen was aiming for back-to-back wins on NASCAR’s only street circuit, having won on his debut in the series 12 months ago.
He was the first driver to win his Cup Series debut since 1963. The 35-year-old New Zealand native also won the Xfinity Series race on Sunday morning (AEST) for his third straight victory on road courses.
“We were able to lead and I felt like I was driving well with it,” he said.
“It’s a shame to be out so early. It’s a shame we couldn’t have a proper crack at it at the end.”
Van Gisbergen had won the XFinity race under clear skies a day earlier, which he celebrated with a customary burnout. Getty
It was the second year in a row bad weather has wreaked havoc on the race.
But while persistent showers threw the schedule completely out of whack last year, the weather had been brilliant all weekend right up until the moment drivers climbed into their cars ahead of the Cup Series race.
After slowing to a drizzle, the showers increased in intensity about 17 laps in — eventually leading to the stoppage.
The race was eventually won by Alex Bowman.
– With AP