Shane van Gisbergen qualified 34th for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
After completing the first lap, Van Gisbergen battled a tight-handling No. 16 Acceptance Insurance Chevy. Maximizing a caution one lap later, crew chief Travis Mack opted to bring Van Gisbergen to pit road for a quick adjustment. Van Gisbergen restarted the stage 33rd. During green-flag pit stops, Van Gisbergen progressed to the front of the field and led three laps during the stage. The No. 16 Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet ran in the top 10 for more than 15 laps.
Van Gisbergen continued to battle tight conditions and finished the first stage 30th.
The No. 16 came to pit road at the stage break for fresh tires, fuel, and adjustments. Van Gisbergen started Stage 2 in 30th and pitted for four tires, fuel, and adjustments 45 laps into the stage. Van Gisbergen pitted once more for fresh tires, fuel, and adjustments, as he continued to battle a tight-handling car. He went on to finish the second stage in 31st place.
Van Gisbergen started the final stage in 31st. The No. 16 team opted to pit for the first time in the stage with 85 laps remaining, giving the Assurance Insurance Chevrolet four fresh tires and fuel. A caution came out with 52 laps remaining in the race, and the No. 16 team opted to pit for new tires and fuel, restarting the stage in 27th. Multiple cautions occurred at the end of Stage 3, and Van Gisbergen took the checkered flag in 26th.
“That was a tough one. The car was just super tight all race, but my No. 16 Acceptance Insurance team never gave up and kept trying to make the car better as the night continued. I learned a lot and am looking forward to next Sunday with this team.”
– Shane van Gisbergen