Shane van Gisbergen Chicago NASCAR burnout has grabbed headlines after a post-race celebration nearly caused a serious incident with a cameraman at the Chicago Street Course. The event, featuring the New Zealand driver‘s third victory in the city, has reignited safety concerns surrounding celebratory burnouts during NASCAR events.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Rise in Chicago and Dominance on Street Courses
Shane van Gisbergen has quickly become a prominent figure at the Chicago Street Course since NASCAR began racing there in 2023. The 36-year-old New Zealander stunned competitors by winning on his Cup Series debut, with notable figures like Chase Elliott expressing how surprising it was for a newcomer to claim victory right away. Van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, claimed the checkered flag again in 2024, this time in the Xfinity Series during his first full-time season, securing wins in Chicago, Portland, and Sonoma.
The momentum continued for the driver nicknamed “SVG,” as he added a second career win to his rookie Cup Series campaign just a few weeks earlier in Mexico City during NASCAR’s first race on a circuit with both right and left turns. His performances have reshaped expectations and marked him as a standout in street course racing.
Intense Burnout Celebration Leads to Close Call for Cameraman
After van Gisbergen’s most recent victory on the Chicago Street Course, he celebrated with an extended burnout on the frontstretch in view of the excited audience and grandstands. The spectacle unfolded after his cooldown lap, with the No. 9 car slowing before engines roared and smoke covered the area. The celebration was being documented by a CW camera operator, who stood track-side of the concrete barrier to capture a dynamic shot for television viewers.
Tensions escalated as the car spun hard to the left, causing the right rear to swing dangerously close to the cameraman. The screen filled with smoke and abruptly tilted as the operator was knocked off balance in the commotion. The situation narrowly avoided catastrophe, highlighting just how quickly a victory moment can cross into dangerous territory.
Questions Raised About Broadcast Safety Practices
The near-miss on live broadcast drew attention to repeating patterns during such celebrations. Efforts to provide dazzling close-ups for broadcasts put camera operators at risk. As witnessed this weekend, a small miscalculation or unexpected movement could result in a minor injury or potentially something much worse for those documenting the event trackside.
Past NASCAR victory celebrations have seen similar hazards, but the frequency and intensity of celebrations like van Gisbergen’s burnout prompt renewed discussion on where to set boundaries for safety. The incident has become a catalyst for debate on whether broadcast teams, drivers, and officials need to implement new protocols to protect all participants, especially those working outside the racecars.
Impact and the Path Forward for NASCAR Burnouts and Broadcast Safety
This latest incident involving Shane van Gisbergen and a cameraman has intensified scrutiny on post-race rituals and the measures needed to ensure everyone’s safety around the track. The serious tone of the debate underlines the risk to crew and media during high-energy celebrations that fans have come to expect. NASCAR, race teams, and broadcasters face increasing pressure to balance tradition and entertainment with proactive steps to prevent future close calls or injuries. As discussions continue, all eyes remain on how race-day protocols might change in the aftermath of another tense celebration gone nearly wrong in Chicago.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes he made the correct decision by leaving Supercars to start a career in NASCAR. This year, he begins his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing after spending 15 years in Supercars.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I’m stepping away from V8 Supercars for personal reasons that I’d prefer to keep private. I’m returning home to New Zealand and don’t have any set plans for what’s next.
