Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen has been bumped aside on the final lap, as he seemingly closed in on his second NASCAR Cup victory at Watkins Glen, New York.
The three-time Australian Supercars champion famously won his American debut on the streets of Chicago last year, but has raced primarily in the second-tier Xfinity series during his first fulltime campaign, as he comes to grips with the peculiar demands of circuit racing.
In the last month, he has jumped to the big time, too late to claim a spot in the end-of-season playoffs, but not too late to play spoiler for those desperate to claim the overall title.
The Kiwi was ahead until the final lap of overtime in New York. (Source: Supplied)
He has three Xfinity victyories to his name this year and after finishing fifth on Sunday (NZ time), van Gisbergen led the feature Cup race late in overtime, before he was passed by rival Chris Buescher within sight of the finish.
"Driver error," he assessed."I knew Chris was really going to push me and send it, if he could get there.
"As I turned, I got a bit loose and clipped the inside wall... driver error, I'm gutted. I had a lot of fun, but I'm pretty angry at myself."
Both drivers had initiated contact during the closing stages, after a chaotic contest that saw many of the favoured drivers bounced out of contention. None of the first five finishers were in playoff reckoning and sixth-placed Chase Briscoe sat last of the top 16 drivers still chasing glory.
"I just used a little bump to get him wider and I knew he would get it back, that's why I was pushing so hard," said van Gisbergen. "It is what it is... just gutted."
The result of Buescher's sixth career victory
The 16-man playoff field will reduce to 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee next weekend, with Briscoe's top finish moving him six points inside the cutline at 11th.
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