Lucas Oil’s Shane van Gisbergen has claimed another Sydney NRMA 500, a masterful display in the wet leapfrogging him to a career-best second place in the V8 Supercars Championship.
Van Gisbergen headed to the final event fourth in the drivers’ standings, just 39 points behind Holden’s Craig Lowndes and 134 behind Ford rival Mark Wintertbottom, but Sunday's win, and second and sixth in Saturday's twin 125km races helped him to jump them both at season’s end.
“Second looked too far ahead, points-wise. [Winterbottom] was a whole race ahead, so we were targeting third, and anything more would have been a bonus, ” Van Gisbergen said.
“Everyone at TEKNO Autosports is stoked. It’s an amazing result for a one-car team and a perfect reward for the team’s hard work.”
It’s the second-straight year that Van Gisbergen has taken victory at the final race of the season, this year battling with fellow Holden driver Garth Tander for the lead as the heavens opened with a torrential downpour.
Van Gisbergen passed Tander just before the safety car was deployed to settle the field under the appalling weather conditions. The race was subsequently declared.
“It’s petty cool to win at the same place twice,” Van Gisbergen said.
“We were quick on the streets of Sydney last year and again this year. The #97 VIP Petfoods/Lucas Oil Commodore is strong on street circuits, and my driving style is really suited to them."
A red flag in the final stages of qualifying for Race 36 prevented Van Gisbergen from bettering his time, forcing him to start from 18th.
He charged up to sixth over the 37-lap distance, then went on to take second in a rain shortened Race 37.
“The Sydney 500 is one of my favourite events. It’s one of the best and most fun tracks on the calendar and has an incredible atmosphere," Van Gisbergen said.
“Finishing off the year with a win makes me look forward to 2015 even more.”
TEKNO Autosports now has a two-month break before the official pre-season test held at Sydney Motor Sport Park in early February.
* Single-car team.
