Do not inform Shane van Gisbergen that he’s the undisputed favourite to win this weekend, as that “pisses me off a bit,” he admitted in a Friday press convention.
“I really feel prefer it disrespects my competitors. I maintain my competitors to a very excessive stage. So yeah, I really feel like I’ve spent the final few minutes speaking myself down as a result of I do know that there is 10 guys in all probability that may win on pure tempo. In NASCAR, a lot stuff can occur with methods and levels, that there is much more guys who can win. So I do not assume it is going to be straightforward, that is for positive.”
And whereas all eyes will nonetheless be on SVG this weekend, the Qualcomm Road Circuit at Naval Base Coronado is a real wildcard race the place something can occur. The brand new 3.4-mile avenue course is bumpy with ever-changing and uneven surfaces, abrupt shifts in elevation, and even a spot the place automobiles are going airborne within the run down right into a braking zone (between Turns 1 and a couple of).
The place does San Diego rank amongst circuits SVG has competed at?
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing, Joey Logano, Staff Penske, Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
Photograph by: Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures
SVG’s Trackhouse Racing teammate (for the weekend) Kevin Magnussen referred to as it probably the most ‘excessive’ race tracks he has ever raced on, and whereas Van Gisbergen did concede that it’s a problem, it is not essentially the most troublesome he has personally skilled.
“I’ve pushed on some fairly common tracks,” remarked Van Gisbergen. “Flip two is precisely like flip 9 at Homebush with the bumps and the floor adjustments. So yeah, I’ve pushed on some stinkers, so this monitor is fairly clean in some spots in comparison with some.”
He then expanded his checklist: “Homebush, Hamilton (notably the circuit’s well-known chicane), after which possibly Sebring. Yeah, Sebring’s top-five worst tracks I’ve ever accomplished, and it jogs my memory of that. So yeah, this isn’t dangerous.”
Whereas additional reflecting on San Diego, Van Gisbergen mentioned he might see slivers of varied race tracks inside it whereas additionally being distinctive.
“There’s bits that remind me of all of the several types of tracks I’ve accomplished,” continued Van Gisbergen. “The railroad might be fairly new, particularly the way you cross them sideways. It seems like they did some work in a single day, so it is perhaps higher right this moment. However on the monitor stroll yesterday, that seemed prefer it was going to be powerful to navigate.”
Shane van Gisbergen racing at Homebush in 2016
Photograph by: Motorsport Pictures
The place are the difficulty spots?
Throughout the Friday classes, essentially the most troublesome spot seemed to be the exit of the ultimate nook (Flip 16), however Van Gisbergen asserted that each nook presents a problem, and will finish with a driver within the wall.
“I imply, the difficulty spots, you begin at one and rely to 16. Each nook seems like somebody’s had a difficulty. Each single part has its personal drawback, and I feel I’ve seen somebody make an error or do one thing incorrect at each.
“So yeah, each nook seems troublesome, and I do not assume there is a chance to do an ideal lap right here. Qualifying tomorrow is wonderful. The primary lap of the monitor, the primary three corners, we’re not going to have accomplished earlier than. You understand, we’re not going to have seen them that day, and the lap begins for them. I discover that at all times fascinating and troublesome in NASCAR, and I feel tomorrow’s qualifying goes to be loopy. You see it now with the pink flags and other people attempting to get clear laps, so it is going to be actually arduous to execute.”
Van Gisbergen can also be cautious concerning the the doorway to the pit lane, which could be very near the popular racing line and will create issues throughout green-flag pit cease cycles.
“I feel there was some dialogue concerning the wall main as much as the pit lane, the way it veers to the correct, and then you definately’ve obtained this pit lane type of protruding,” famous Van Gisbergen. “It will not be hassle in apply, however I can see that being a difficulty within the race, so hopefully they possibly pull that wall to the correct. However the remainder of it seems superb, and everybody may have the identical challenges.”
Whereas a number of drivers discovered hassle in Friday apply, SVG was not one in every of them, although he did have a few late entries and a eyebrow-raising slide on the exit of the ultimate chicane whereas discovering the restrict. He was eighth on the pace charts, however led all drivers in five-lap averages.
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