New Zealand race car driver Shane van Gisbergen has continued to impress in his sophomore NASCAR Cup Series campaign, capturing the world's attention with electrifying performances.
The Kiwi racing star has picked up where he left off just over a year ago when he sent shockwaves throughout the globe with a historic victory in his debut race in Chicago.
The last time Van Gisbergen raced in Chicago he was an unknown commodity despite boasting a reputation as a three-time champion in Australia's Supercars.
The New Zealander arrived on American shores for a Cup Series and cemented his status as a racing phenomenon, beating Justin Haley and Chase Elliott on his way to a historic triumph.
He smashed a six-decade-long record by becoming the first driver to win his Cup Series debut since America's Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963.
Van Gisbergen and other drivers competed for 75 laps after the race was shortened due to expected darkness following several weather delays.
However, his performance on the 2.2-mile course forced the entire world to pay attention. His triumph was made even more impressive by the fact that the 12-turn course had been drenched by rain and dried out during the series' first street race.
Van Gisbergen's stunning entry into NASCAR quickly became a landmark moment in the sport, and he has returned to the scene of his historic triumph to cement his status as a racing powerhouse.
His victory led to a development deal with Trackhouse, which put Van Gisbergen in select races in the Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series this year. He has already left an indelible mark on the Xfinity Series.
Van Gisbergen's victory in the inaugural Chicago street race also had an effect on this year's edition. Track president Julie Giese said there was a noticeable increase in ticket sales in New Zealand.
His exploits have also attracted plenty of interest from the New Zealand betting community, and the Kiwi racer has become a popular option on betting platforms.
Punters have been locking to NZ betting sites to place wagers on Van Gisbergen, hoping to capitalise on his impressive performances and growing reputation in the NASCAR Cup Series.
They will have been impressed by the New Zealander's performances, which have likely yielded plenty of profitable returns for bettors who backed him to dominate.
Driving the No 91 Chevrolet specially designed by Trackhouse Racing's innovative Project91 program, Van Gisbergen has showcased his extraordinary talent and elevated NASCAR's global appeal.
NASCAR's initiative aims to attract talented international drivers to the racing company, offering fans the opportunity to witness world-class talent compete at the highest level of stock car racing.
Van Gisbergen has already capitalised on the opportunity to bolster his reputation as a racing phenom. In the first Xfinity Series race of June at Portland Raceway, he beat Justin Allgaier on a restart with four laps to go.
The three-time Australian Supercars champion repeated the feat the following weekend at Sonoma Raceway, leading 32 of 79 laps and beating Sheldon Creed for his second career series triumph.
He finished subsequent races inside the top 20 before claiming another victory at the Chicago Street Course. He also finished fourth at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Van Gisbergen's performances have caught the eye, with Kaulig team president Chris Rice particularly impressed with the New Zealander's racing skills.
"SVG [Shane van Gisbergen] is a special driver," Rice said. "He has more talent than we've seen in a long time come from anywhere else. He's going to do very well, but when you get to the Cup side, it's way harder than showing up in Xfinity."
All eyes were on Van Gisbergen's return engagement in the Windy City during the Grant Park 165 event at the Chicago Street Race, but he didn't finish the race.
He'll be keen to make up for it in subsequent races, although whether he can translate his Xfinity Series performances to the Cup side remains to be seen.
While his Cup Series journey is still unfolding, his dominance in the Xfinity Series has solidified his status as a formidable force in NASCAR.
Trackhouse Racing's Project91 has been an effective catalyst for bringing international racing stars to NASCAR.
Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen has participated in the program twice, both times on road courses. However, Raikkonen failed to secure a win, which underscores the exceptional nature of Van Gisbergen's success.
His ability to seamlessly transition from the Supercars Championship has undoubtedly been crucial to his outstanding performances. Van Gisbergen's meteoric rise has not gone unnoticed.
His success has sparked a broader interest in international talent, with NASCAR teams increasingly looking to the Repco Supercars Championship for potential stars.
The series has become a fertile ground for drivers seeking to make the leap to the highest level of stock car racing.
