The Kiwi driver made a unique entry into the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Facing some serious wrecks in the Xfinity opener at Daytona, Shane Van Gisbergen was visibly rattled after the race. Meanwhile, he was also the cause of one of the crashes. However, the #97 Camaro driver, despite being “disappointed” with himself, owned up to the rumble.

Entering his second year in NASCAR, the Kaulig Racing driver wowed audiences after winning the inaugural Chicago Street Race last year. However, the three-time Super Cars champion is far from home, and getting caught in a few wrecks is customary. Friday night’s ARCA Menards Series race was also not devoid of trouble. But Shane Vane Gisbergen may learn quickly.

Shane Van Gisbergen admits the ball is in his park

Aside from being delayed to Monday, the Xfinity Series opener had one more thing in common with Daytona 500 – the sheer number of wrecks dominating the racetrack. Shane Van Gisbergen, starting his first full-time year at NASCAR, came midway through a few of these chaotic crashes.

In a recent interview with Frontstretch, Van Gisbergen outlined the unfortunate incident where he hooked Jeb Burton. “I’m pretty pissed and disappointed with myself, misjudging the 27. I spun him out and heard I just misjudged the side draft. He was coming around me quick and as I went to get up I sort of hung him back a bit.”

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On lap 97, Van Gisbergen misjudged a move to go from low to high and join the draft. He tagged the #47 Chevrolet of Jeb Burton into a spin and he himself slid onto the infield. But he saved himself and skated on the grass at Turn 4, taking 21st place when the race restarted on lap 103.

Van Gisbergen was thankful to his team for their amazing work. “The weather tech Chevy’s pretty beat up but the guys did a great job all week, or all night, we went down a lap back…so all in all I learned a lot but pretty bummed for spinning someone else out.”

The other wrecks saw Shane Van Gisbergen as the victim, though. Shortly after the restart of Stage 2, he was pushed into the wall after Jesse Love was nudged into a spin. Again on lap 103, he was bumped by Burton, who got caught in a whirlwind of action started by Jeremy Clements.

Watch This Story: Shane van Gisbergen Expressed His Concerns Heading To Daytona

The Xfinity Series race was wild, and SVG only managed a 12th place. Meanwhile, it was Richard Childress Racing’s #21, who in the face of crashes, penalties and flat tires, claimed the top spot.

Austin Hill wins at Daytona for the third consecutive year

The winner of the Xfinity Series opener did not have an easy path. Austin Hill had to overcome several hurdles en route to Victory Lane, but overcome he did. He became the fourth driver in NASCAR history to win the Xfinity opener at Daytona at least three times.

Hill acknowledged the hard battle, stating, “God almighty. I don’t know what was going on with me on pit road today but my guys just kept telling me, ‘Look, man, dig deep. You’re really good at these superspeedways.’I tried to screw it up on pit road, sped on pit road, slid through the box, about slid through the box on the first stop.”

Having snagged his 3rd consecutive win at the United Rentals 300, the 2023 Xfinity series regular season champion will be looking to make the playoffs this season. Meanwhile, Shane Van Gisbergen will be looking to build on his 12th place and hope for better luck.

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