Shane van Gisbergen has been on a hot streak these last few weeks. Road course races have come in rapid succession, and the former Supercars Champion is hitting the bullseye in every single one of them.
Advertisement
As SVG continues to wreak havoc in the Cup Series, he has an opinion about flipping competitors off during races. In the 12 Questions Series with veteran reporter Jeff Gluck, he was asked about his stance on using the middle finger on the racetrack.
Van Gisbergen revealed that he has just started making the gesture since the cars that he drove back in Australia had windows on them. As it happens, he has found himself some friends who like to flip off each other for fun.
“There are a couple of drivers; we do it for fun at each other,” said SVG.
“But yeah, I actually did it [in Michigan] at someone. They were racing me like an idiot, and then they put their hand out at me. So I passed them and then did it back. I think it’s pretty rude, though. I don’t want to do that all the time. You only do it when people deserve it, I guess. Or for fun,” he added.
Most of the gestures that drivers display to each other when racing are polite. They do it to thank competitors for letting them pass or for other racing favors. The middle finger usually comes out when they are upset about a move.
“When they’re really angry, the whole hand comes out,” Van Gisbergen laughed. He finds all this rather entertaining since he has never expressed himself this way.
Van Gisbergen finds a friend in Bubba Wallace
23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace is close friends with many drivers in NASCAR, including Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Daniel Suarez. The latest driver to enter his circle is Van Gisbergen.
The Kiwi told Gluck that he is getting closer to Wallace, thanks to their mutual friendship with Scott McLaughlin.
“Bubba is one of the guys I’m getting closer to. I always get along with him, and I’m happy to see him do well. We’ve been starting to race each other a bit more, which is good for me, I guess,” said SVG.
Van Gisbergen then explained the reason for their blossoming friendship. “Just the friend circle with Scotty [Scott McLaughlin, SVG’s fellow racing driver from New Zealand]. He hangs out with Scotty a lot, and that’s how you get to know him a bit. Had him around home a couple of times,” he said.
Wallace and SVG’s association off the track could help them both get better on it.
