Shane Van Gisbergen Controversial Win: Fans Call for Review, Say Kyle Larson Deserved More
The weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race ended in a tense and controversial atmosphere as Shane Van Gisbergen crossed the finish line first, seemingly claiming a clear victory. However, just minutes after the checkered flag was raised, social media exploded with thousands of comments demanding a review of the result, with many claiming Kyle Larson was the real winner.
A Win That Wasn’t Complete
The New Zealand driver, a three-time Supercars Championship winner, was in impressive form throughout the race, especially in the final stages when he controversially passed Larson on the penultimate lap. That pass, as recorded by television cameras, involved a slight collision that caused Larson’s car to veer off course and lose momentum, allowing Van Gisbergen to take the lead.
Commentators and experts were divided on the matter. Some argued that it was a “legal racing collision” – part of the fierce competition in NASCAR. But many others insisted that Van Gisbergen had “pushed” his rival, violated fair-play rules, and should have received a penalty.
The fan community exploded
The comments section under NASCAR’s official YouTube highlight video quickly became the center of debate. Thousands of fans demanded a “review of the pass,” with comments like:
“Larson deserved that win, not Shane.”
“He was pushed off the track – NASCAR needs to fix this.”
“You don’t win by bumping your rival off the road.”
On Twitter (X), the hashtag #JusticeForLarson trended just hours after the race ended. Some fans even called for NASCAR to “follow F1”, implementing time penalties or points deductions if a driver causes a collision that changes the outcome.
Reactions from drivers and teams
Kyle Larson remained calm after the race but could not hide his disappointment. He briefly spoke at a press conference:
“I don’t want to blame, but it was clear that I didn’t have the space to defend my position. That’s not how I want to lose.”
Meanwhile, Van Gisbergen insisted he was completely innocent:
“I was just fighting for my position. We made light contact – that happens hundreds of times in NASCAR. I respect Kyle, but I have to defend my track.”
Larson’s team (Hendrick Motorsports) has filed a request for NASCAR to review the incident on lap 198, and has requested the release of telemetry data (a system that records speed and steering angle) to verify whether Van Gisbergen intentionally pushed.
The organizers speak out
NASCAR representatives said they are reviewing video from multiple angles as well as technical data before making an official conclusion. However, they emphasized that “racing is a contact sport” and “not every contact is considered a foul.”
An inside source revealed: “Without clear evidence that Van Gisbergen intentionally endangered the safety of his opponent, the possibility of the result being reversed is almost zero.”
Victory shrouded in controversy
Despite holding on to the victory, Van Gisbergen still faced a wave of fierce criticism. In the eyes of many, this was a “dirty victory”, and Kyle Larson was honored as a “hero without a title”.
Sports experts commented that this incident could force NASCAR to review the regulations on collisions in the final stages of the race, especially in the tight corners where the position dispute is fierce.
Conclusion
The race may have ended, but its echoes certainly have not stopped. The story between Shane Van Gisbergen and Kyle Larson is not only about a victory, but also about the fragile line between bravery and fairness in the world of high-speed racing. Regardless of who is right or wrong, this race has proven one thing: NASCAR is always a place where emotions, controversy and drama explode more than ever.
