In Chicago, if you need a driver to take you around iconic spots like Grant Park, the Field Museum, and the Art Institute, Schoen Vangiss Bargain is the go-to person. Despite being a New Zealander with little interest in big cities, SVG is quickly becoming a legendary figure in Chicago. On a hot Sunday, Vangisbergen clinched his second victory at the Chicago Street Race on his third attempt, making him the most successful foreign-born driver in NASCAR Cup Series history. Adding to his weekend success, he also won the Xfinity race the day before. “This place changed my life,” Van Gisbergen said after his win.
The event featured several notable moments: rain tires were prepped early for the unpredictable Chicago weather; Tyler Reddick showcased his Jordanian-branded Toyota; Joey Logano engaged with fans; Noah Gragson entertained kids before racing; and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose served as grand marshal wearing a custom jacket. Fans got to see Bubba Wallace in action, heard from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and witnessed 40 cars line up for the race. Shane Van Gisbergen, in particular, was a standout, demonstrating his road course mastery especially on the challenging Chicago course. His victory was sealed under caution when Cody Wear crashed on the last lap. This marked an extraordinary weekend for Van Gisbergen, who hadn’t anticipated joining NASCAR two years ago before seizing this opportunity.
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Fan Take: Van Gisbergen’s rise highlights the growing international appeal and talent influx in NASCAR, proving how global the sport is becoming. For fans, this means more thrilling competition and diverse storylines that can expand NASCAR’s fanbase worldwide.
