NASCAR drivers are naturally some of the best drifters in motorsports, so jaw-dropping moments tend to stand out even more when they happen. Sean van Gisbergen did just that early in the NASCAR Cup race in Las Vegas when he pulled off an epic drift and somehow avoided a crash after making contact with two other cars.
While pushing onto the track, SVG made light contact with Erik Jones, causing him to spin hard between the lanes before Chase Briscoe came over from the bottom and straightened the No. 97 Chevrolet. Van Gisbergen continued on with few injuries.
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However, the tire did develop a flat tire, causing Van Gisbergen to fall a lap behind early in the race. It wasn’t the greatest save in NASCAR history in Las Vegas, either. That honor still belongs to former Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray, who somehow saved the car through Turns 1 and 2 in 2009:
It may be hit or miss in Las Vegas, but this moment in the 2009 Shelby 427 is rent-free in the heart of every NASCAR fan. Entering Turn 1 with Jamie McMurray in the No. 26 Crown Royal Ford, Tony Stewart’s No. 20 Home Depot machine struck McMurray’s left rear, sending him sideways onto the track. The in-car camera showed Stewart passing, but outside the car, McMurray performed an epic drift throughout the middle and exit of the first turn on the Las Vegas bank. It was worth it, with McMurray finishing 9th and Stewart finishing 26th on the day.
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SVG’s save wasn’t the only impressive save this weekend in Vegas. On Friday, just before O’Reilly’s car took to the track for practice, a safety truck driver also followed his Ram truck on the front track and performed a frantic rescue! You can see the epic save at the link below:
Also read:
Watch this safety truck pull off an epic rescue during a NASCAR race
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