SVG surprised by Darwin results despite struggles

Completing a team one-two weekend on points in Darwin proved “awesome” for Shane van Gisbergen, who felt he was fighting his car all weekend.

Red Bull Ampol Racing star van Gisbergen scored finishes of sixth, second and fourth at the betr Darwin Triple Crown.

The reigning champion was second on points for the weekend behind teammate Broc Feeney, who finished second, first and third.

Critically, both drivers closed the gap to Erebus Motorsport duo Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown, who both missed the podium.

It was the first round all season that neither Coca-Cola Camaro scored silverware, with Kostecki 26th and last in the finale after picking up damage.

Heading to Townsville, Feeney and van Gisbergen are 91 and 110 points from the lead respectively.

Heading into the Darwin weekend, van Gisbergen was 172 points down, with Feeney 191 points from the lead.

For van Gisbergen, it was a smart return given his Friday dramas, where car gremlins kept him on the sidelines for much of the day.

“It doesn’t feel like we’re competitive but in reality, we’re fast, so I don’t really understand why that is because it’s a bit of a battle,” he said of the races.

"The racing was particularly tough this weekend, especially when you get stuck behind others because the cars get so hot.

"The team has done an awesome job to stick behind me and keep trying stuff with the car.

"We had a lot of problems on Friday and basically lost all our practice sessions, but to come out with second on points for the weekend and for Broc to finish first on points for the event is awesome.

"I haven’t been much help to that side of the garage, so it’s been awesome to get a good team result because we’ve been struggling so much.

"I’m looking forward to Townsville because at least we can have some strategy and try some different things and hopefully the racing is good for everyone to watch.”

Qualifying is still a bugbear for van Gisbergen, who qualified fourth, third and ninth for the three races.

The three-time champion ceded he has to “reflect” on where the car can improve, saying he can be better.

“Qualifying was interesting today. I finished my lap and expected to finish P25 but we qualified third within a tenth,” he said.

"I need to reflect on that and learn more from the car because it feels like I can be better.”

Van Gisbergen will head Stateside this weekend ahead of his NASCAR Cup Series debut in Chicago on July 2.

The New Zealander will then return to Australia to race at Reid Park, where he has won 10 races.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NTI Townsville 500 on July 7-9. Tickets are on sale now.