Shane van Gisbergen wins Xfinity Series Loop 110
Shane van Gisbergen owns Chicago.
The New Zealand native captured for back-to-back Loop 110 wins following Saturday's win. With his fourth win in Xfinity Series races, van Gisbergen is now tied for fifth all-time in career top-five finishes by international drivers in the Xfinity Series.
With three victories at the Chicago Street Race, he's become a staple at the Chicago Street Race.
"Unreal day," he said following the race.
van Gisbergen, 36, led for 27 laps and re-took the lead after the restart. He pushed Connor Zilisch wide, causing Zilisch to crash into the wall and taking away his leverage.
Sunday was van Gisbergen's first victory and first top-10 finish in 2025.
"First time I've raced [Zilisch]," van Gisbergen said. "I knew that was my opportunity and took it."
Having already clinched pole position for Sunday’s Grant Park 165 after winning the Busch Light Pole and becoming the second driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win their first three poles on road courses, van Gisbergen has his eyes on a sweep.
"I would love to," van Gisbergen said. "I'm lucky, I got some great cars this weekend, driving for some great teams. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
He entered the care center following the race after being overheated during the race.
Zilisch’s disappointment
Zilisch didn’t feel that van Gisbergen’s move to squeeze him on the restart that pushed him front was dirty, but he didn’t expect it.
It was a learning experience for the 18-year-old driver. Zilisch said he would have stayed in the lane and blocked van Gisbergen had he known that the New Zealander was going to pin him on the wall.
“I could have just done a better job keeping leverage," Zilisch said. "At that point, it's his corner, and he can do what he wants to. I just didn't expect it, so I wish I could have it back.”
Zilisch said it’s been around two years since he last participated in a street race, but that it’s his favorite form of racing. His inexperience and youth showed and van Gisbergen pounced. Zilisch said he gave van Gisbergen too much respect, adding that he would be more aggressive next time.
‘I can feel the energy’
NASCAR drivers often highlight the fan excitement when discussing why they hope to continue the Chicago Street Race in future years, despite rainstorms disrupting the event in the previous two years.
Saturday was a warm, sunny day, perfect for racing. And perfect for a musical act. The 2023 headlining Chainsmokers concert was canceled and rescheduled for 2024 due to weather conditions, and attendance was low at last year’s performance.
Tapped to headline the 2025 Chicago Street Race, the Zac Brown Band relished the chance to perform.
“I can feel the energy of the people here,” Zac Brown told the Sun-Times. “We flew in last night, and there were fireworks at the airport going on for like an hour. That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life.
"We're normally not traveling, so landing and getting to see the energy around the whole city right now is pretty amazing. Shutting part of [Chicago] down to do a race and have everybody running through the streets is crazy.”