Winless round fails to distract from Shane van Gisbergen’s record-breaking championship campaign.
Champion driver Shane van Gisbergen had a rare weekend without a podium finish as the 2022 Supercars’ season came to an end in Adelaide.
However, he still signed off his victorious campaign in style with a memorable burnout celebration before collecting the championship trophy.
The Kiwi endured a frustrating weekend at the Adelaide 500 and finished the first race, which was won by Chaz Mostert, in 20th place.
In the season finale on December 4, van Gisbergen thought he had done enough to secure a podium spot but was given a penalty for a safety car infringement and ended up in seventh. Rookie Broc Feeney took out that race to secure Holden’s last Supercars victory.
It meant van Gisbergen, pictured, who clinched the title on the Gold Coast in October, failed to win a race in a round for the first time since Darwin in June.
The three-time champion’s burnout in pit straight afterwards was spectacular and marked the end of his dominant season in which he won a record 21 times in 34 races.
“What an amazing year we’ve had… I’ve tried to treasure some of moments this year,” he says. “I’ve just had a great car all year, team’s been awesome.”
Van Gisbergen is now eyeing a third straight title next year as Commodores are officially retired in favour of Chevrolet Camaros for the Gen3 era.
The 2023 Supercars Championship will start in Newcastle next March.
Final standings
1. Shane van Gisbergen, 3,523 points
2. Cameron Waters, 2,908pts
3. Chaz Mostert, 2,835pts
4. Anton de Pasquale, 2,599pts
5. Will Davison, 2,573pts