One year ago, NASCAR became front-page news in New Zealand when Shane van Gisbergen drove to a historic win on debut in Chicago. He’ll go again this weekend, keeping busy with double duties in the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series as he looks to repeat the feat.
Van Gisbergen is just one of no fewer than half a dozen Kiwis in action in the United States, with Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin, and Marcus Armstrong competing in IndyCar on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Also at Mid-Ohio is Callum Hedge in Indy NXT and Liam Sceats in USF Pro 2000.
Closer to home, Supercars are in action with the Townsville 500, featuring five Kiwis. The Porsche Sprint Challenge is on the Supercars programme and features Brock Gilchrist, Clay Osborne and Ayrton Hodson.
Chris van der Drift returns to the Carrera Cup in Asia at the picturesque Bangsaen Street Circuit in Thailand, while Hayden Paddon looks to extend his advantage in the European Rally Championship at Rally Estonia.
Throw in the British Grand Prix, then we’re in for a busy weekend of motorsport action.
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Enjoy!
Shane van Gisbergen: NASCAR Cup & Xfinity Series
A double dose of the Chicago Street Race, with Shane van Gisbergen competing in the Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Cup Series at the venue where he made history just one year ago.
The Kiwi sits 14th in the standings, having won two of this season’s three road course outings, which qualified him for the playoffs.
Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin & Marcus Armstrong: IndyCar
Scott Dixon enters the Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio as the top-ranked Kiwi, sitting third in the standings, 32 points behind leader Alex Palou.
Scott McLaughlin is eighth, and Marcus Armstrong is 15th.
Payne, Stanaway, Heimgartner, Evans & Wood: Supercars
Penrite Racing’s Matt Payne and Richie Stanaway sit ninth and tenth in the Driver’s Championship ahead of this weekend’s Townsville 500.
Andre Heimgartner is 12th, Ryan Wood 17th, and Jaxon Evans 21st.
Hayden Paddon: European Rally Championship
Hayden Paddon leads the European Rally Championship standings ahead of this weekend’s Rally Estonia, tied with Mathieu Franceshi on points.
Callum Hedge: Indy NXT
Callum Hedge is sixth in the Indy NXT Driver’s Championship, only three points outside the top five. He has a sizeable gap of 157 points to make up to leader Louis Foster if he is to challenge for the title.
Liam Sceats: USF Pro 2000
New Zealand Grand Prix winner Liam Sceats is fifth in the USF Pro 2000 Championship ahead of this weekend’s double-header in Mid-Ohio. He sits 69 points behind leader Lochie Hughes.
Brock Gilchrist, Clay Osborne & Ayrton Hodson: Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia
The Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia is on the Supercars support card this weekend. Brock Gilchrist enters the round second, just eight points behind championship leader Oscar Targett.
Clay Osborne is seventh and took his maiden win last round at The Bend, and Ayrton Hodson is tenth.
Chris van der Drift: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Three-time Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion Chris van der Drift returns to the series for his first outing this year.
Van der Drift joins Toro Racing at the Bangsean Street Circuit in Thailand.
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