SHANE van Gisbergen’s fourth victory of the NASCAR Cup Series season has taken on special meaning, with his father Robert trackside for the first time this year to witness the achievement.
RVG has been a fixture in the pits throughout his son’s racing journey, with recent ill-health preventing him from travelling to North America.
“I try to reflect and take in the moment a bit more,” said van Gisbergen.
“Today was really special. Never had my dog in Victory Lane before, and my Dad as well.
“He hasn’t been able to travel all year being sick.
“To have him here for the next three weeks and have a win with it, it’s just really cool to have that moment.
“It’s been pretty difficult – he lost his wife, my mother, and then his sister and then his mom a month or so ago.
“It’s been a really rough run for Dad.
“It’s hard to support him when I’m on the other side of the world.
“That’s probably why I’m the most homesick.
“Then my sister has moved away as well, so he’s kind of by himself all of a sudden.
“I try to talk to him every day, and yeah, to have him here, and like he was almost in tears, too.
“It’s really special to share that, because we’re a long way from home.
“I’d love to have a good result with him the next couple weeks.
“He’s driving the bus for me with his friend Jason to those races.
“I’ll probably drive to Daytona with them, and it’ll be a good time like we used to do.”
Next week, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to oval track competition at Richmond Raceway.