COBO CUP 2023 Newsletter – Volume 18

New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen wins Chicago Street Race in NASCAR debut

Three-time Supercars Champion #91-Shane Van Gisbergen won the inaugural Grant Park 220 NASCAR Cup Series race at the Chicago Street Course in his Cup Series debut for Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91.
#31-Haley finished 2nd followed by #9-Elliott, #5-Larson, #8-Busch, #2-Cindric, #34-McDowell, #22-Logano, #54-Gibbs, and #17-Buescher.

Van Gisbergen is the first driver to win in his Cup Series debut since 1963. He took the lead with 5 laps remaining and held the lead through a late caution and overtime attempt. The race was shortened to 75 laps (from the scheduled 100) due to impending darkness, but ran 78 laps due to overtime.  The street course does not have lights bright enough for team or television to race at night. The race started 90 minutes later than scheduled after heavy rains throughout the afternoon.

The 33-year-old van Gisbergen drives a Chevrolet Camaro in the Supercars Championship for Triple Eight Race Engineering winning championships in 2016, 2021 and 2022. He owns 78 wins and 47 pole positions making him the fourth most successful driver in series history. He’s won the Bathurst 1000 in 2020 and 2022. Pole winner #11-Hamlin lost the lead on the first lap, hit the tire barrier on turn two and was never in serious contention. He finished 11th. There were 7 lead changes among 5 drivers and 9 cautions for 21 yellow flag laps. The average speed of the race was: 60.281mph.

• Stage 1 was won by #20-Bell
• Stage 2 was won by #20-Bell

Perfect Team (per category): Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, Kevin Harvick, Ty Gibbs, Chris Buescher, Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Corey LaJoie = 3,242 points

Worst Picks (per category): Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe, Eric Jones, Justin Haley, Noah Gragson & BJ McLeod.        

Facts: MavRick Racing wins at Chicago with 214 points ($100). They beat Look@MeGo & Dbl D’s 4 Me by 4 points. Stumugo remains in the standings lead with 3,092 points. They lead second place FC Racing by 28 points.   

Standings Leaders:

• KKMT (12 weeks)
• FC Racing (3 weeks)
• Piston Happy (2 weeks)
• Stumugo (2 weeks)
• Two Griffins (1 week)

Challenges: You have until Wednesday to Challenge the points.

Bottom of the Barrel: Outta Gas with 2,154 points. Shake ‘n Bake, Baby is 180 points up. 

Pole Pool: Anyone with #11-Hamlin just earned a pole pool point. Geeturdun in the lead with 7 pole points.  

Biggest Mover: Hoop from 66^th to 42^nd (24 spots)

Biggest Dump: Blowin Trannies from 61^st to 87^th (26 spots) 

Race Penalties:   

Race             Points             Car Number

Richmond        60                      #24

Richmond        60                      #48

Martinsville     60                      #3  

Darlington       10                      #45

Charlotte         120                    #14

WWTR            60                     #43

Cobo Cup Sponsors:   

• Industrial Hose and Hydraulics @ www.industrialhose.net
• Fred’s Auto & Equipment Service Centre Inc @www.fredsauto.ca
• Hammer DJ Services @ www.hammerdjservices.ca
• Dry N Shine Auto Spa @www.drynshineautospa.com
• Splitsville Hamilton – the place the Cobo Cup crew parties
• ILich Construction & Design

Social Media

• Twitter: @cobocup  
• Facebook: @Cobo Cup
• Instagram: @cobo_cup              

Next Race

Race #19 of 36: Sunday July 09, 2023 at Atlanta, GA on NBC. Green Flag: 7:00pm                                                                      

“NUFF SAID”

COBO CUP 2023 Standings Leader: Stumugo                                                                                                                                                              cobocup@yahoo.ca