{"id":1574217,"date":"2023-07-04T15:59:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-04T19:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1574217"},"modified":"2023-07-04T15:59:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T19:59:25","slug":"why-shane-van-gisbergen-isnt-eligible-nascar-playoffs-despite-winning-chicago-street-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/why-shane-van-gisbergen-isnt-eligible-nascar-playoffs-despite-winning-chicago-street-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Shane van Gisbergen Isn't Eligible for the NASCAR Playoffs Despite Winning the Chicago Street Race"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To say Shane van Gisbergen<\/a> was a shocking winner of the inaugural edition of the Chicago Street Race<\/a> would be an understatement, as he became the first driver to win his first-ever NASCAR<\/a> Cup Series run since Indy car racer Johnny Rutherford won a Daytona 500 qualifier in 1963. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New Zealander, who was also the first person in his country's history to win a Cup Series race, was only the seventh driver in history to accomplish the feat and the first in the modern era. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suiting up for Trackhouse Racing<\/a> as part of the team's unique Project 91<\/a> effort, van Gisbergen, an 80-time winner and three-time champion in Australia's Supercars Championship circuit, overcame monumental odds and plenty of inclement weather to take the checkered flag in a wet Windy City. The inaugural Grant Park 220, of course, was shortened from 100 laps to 75 due to darkness and then extended a few more by overtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Christopher Bell won the first two stages on the 2.2-mile street course, his chance to win ended rather abruptly. When it was announced on Lap 46 that the race would be shortened, Bell was in the lead. However, several cars had already pitted and were in a much better position to make it all the way to the finish. When Bell himself hit the pits, he restarted in 12th and ultimately finished 18th. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Van Gisbergen held the lead on Lap 25, becoming the first Project 91 driver to lead any lap in three starts, but fell back a touch as the race progressed. In the end, however, the 34-year-old chased down Chase Elliott<\/a> and Justin Haley and scored a 1.259-second victory to become just the sixth driver born outside the U.S. to win a Cup Series race. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a win guarantees a driver a spot in the NASCAR Playoffs<\/a>. But that's not the case with Shane van Gisbergen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Shane van Gisbergen isn't eligible for the NASCAR Playoffs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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