In fact, several of the drivers who battled Van Gisbergen down to the end in Sunday’s race said the Kiwi’s performance was entertaining, but also a little humbling.
The three-time Supercars champion looked to be a contender all weekend on the 2.2-mile, 12-turn course in the Grant Park of downtown Chicago.
He was fastest in Saturday’s practice and came up just short in qualifying, starting third.
Pitting late for new tyres, van Gisbergen patiently drove back through the field, grabbed the lead and held on to it in a two-lap overtime.
“He was in a league of his own, and in my opinion, put on a really big-time clinic,” said Chase Elliott, one of the Cup series’ top road course drivers. “I don’t want to speak for everybody else, but he made me look bad, and I kind of think the rest of us, too.
“He’s going to go home and tell all of his friends how bad we are.”
Source: Autosport