Shane van Gisbergen’s 2018 season marked the competitive debut of the all-new Holden ZB Commodore, and he ensured it couldn’t have asked for a better introduction. Driving the #97 Red Bull Holden Racing Team entry, van Gisbergen swept both races at the Adelaide 500, giving Holden’s new model a dream start and immediately establishing himself as Scott McLaughlin’s biggest challenger for the Supercars Drivers’ Championship.
Throughout the season, van Gisbergen produced the fearless overtaking, relentless determination and outright speed that had become his trademark. He claimed seven race victories, including a clean sweep at Adelaide and two wins on home soil at Pukekohe, repeatedly fighting back against McLaughlin and keeping the championship battle alive until the final round at the Newcastle Street Circuit.
The season reached its dramatic climax in Newcastle. On Saturday, van Gisbergen chased down championship rival Scott McLaughlin, who was nursing a fuel shortage, and swept past him just two corners from the chequered flag to claim an unforgettable victory. Overnight, however, the celebrations turned to heartbreak when Triple Eight received a 25-second post-race penalty after the car was lowered from its air jacks while the refuelling hose remained attached during a Safety Car pit stop. The penalty dropped van Gisbergen from first to fifth, slashing his championship hopes before Sunday’s finale.
Although he ultimately finished runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship, van Gisbergen’s 2018 campaign showcased exactly why he was regarded as one of Supercars’ elite drivers. From delivering the Holden ZB Commodore a dream debut to taking the title fight to the final weekend, his speed, resilience and refusal to give up produced one of the standout seasons of his career.
