Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen's stunning debut NASCAR win has captured the attention of motorheads across the world, but none more so than the United States.
Van Gisbergen became just the first driver in 60 years to win his maiden race, leaving his competitors and Chicago fans in awe.
Such was the gulf in speed, his third-fastest lap was still quicker than any other driver on the day, as he surged to a famous victory.
While Supercars fans are used to seeing the flying Kiwi cross the winning line, his performance earned rave reviews in the US.
Walked in and kicked everyone's ass
By Mat Hardigree, The Autopian
Finally, hesitantly, the rain abated. The track crew ferociously battled the puddles with their big jet dryers. The drivers got in their cars. No one knew what would happen, but everyone expected to run out of light before the race could be finished.
There was a risk that this could be the spoiled neon green relish highlighting the Chicago-style crapdog the weekend was becoming.
And then, like magic, a very tall and very quiet man from New Zealand walked in and kicked everyone's ass and charmed everyone's ass at exactly the same time. Then, suddenly, he didn't seem so quiet.
By Amy Henderson, Front Stretch
Though van Gisbergen is an accomplished racer and in a very good car with Trackhouse, he was an underdog. Road course ringers don't often win, as the 50-year gap between Donohue's win and van Gisbergen's shows. Haley's Kaulig Racing team isn't quite a weekly Cup contender yet.
Had the same battle taken place between, say, Elliott and Kyle Larson, people wouldn't be talking about the race after Monday morning at the water cooler.
NASCAR's about people as much as it is machines. Because of the people involved, fans will remember this race. That's great for NASCAR in the short term.
Boy, did this tourist show the locals a thing or two about driving
By Tom Bowles, CBS
New Zealander Shane Van Gisbergen paid America a visit on July 4th weekend, the recipient of a one-race NASCAR Cup Series vacation out in Chicago.
The Australian V8 Supercars Champion, affectionately known as SVG, rewrote history by capturing the first NASCAR street race in the sport's modern era (1972-present). He's the first road course "ringer" to come in and beat NASCAR's top competition at a right-turn track since Mark Donohue in 1973.
Boy, did this tourist show the locals a thing or two about driving.
How in the world did this thunderous talent from Down Under catch lightning in a bottle his first time out? The driver himself doesn't even know the answer.
There's zero shame
By Jeff Gluck, The Athletic
Van Gisbergen made a heck of a statement in America this weekend; the New Zealand native who races in Australia's Supercars series, where he is a three-time champion, was simply the best driver in the field at Chicago.
There has always been that fear in any racing series: If this outside driver comes in and does well, he'll make us all look like we can't drive.
But let's be honest here: There's zero shame in one of the best touring car drivers on the planet, who races street courses all the time, coming in and beating a field of drivers who were almost all on a street course for the first time in their lives.
What social media said:
