Van der Zande Seizes Dramatic Win at Chevrolet Sports Car Classic
Detroit, MI — Renger van der Zande claimed his 22nd career victory at the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic, executing a decisive overtake in the closing moments of the race. The Dutch driver, partnering with Nick Yelloly in the #93 Acura ARX-06 for Meyer Shank Racing, initially found themselves in third place behind the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 and the #10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R.
Despite not feeling they had the fastest car during the latter half of the race, van der Zande capitalized on strategic moments. “At one point, I thought, maybe they’re gonna get a go at each other, and that’s what happened,” he said, reflecting on the front-runners’ battle.
With less than 30 minutes remaining after a restart, van der Zande praised rival Ricky Taylor’s skill after Taylor overtook Felipe Nasr for the lead. “He’s one of the toughest guys in the car,” van der Zande noted, emphasizing his strategy to stay close to Taylor during their pursuit.
The pivotal moment came when Taylor’s brief tussle with Nasr allowed van der Zande to sneak past the Porsche at turn five. “I knew the car was a bit stronger in turn one,” van der Zande explained, discussing his plan to capitalize on Taylor’s potential weakness.
After receiving confirmation from his team to attempt a pass, van der Zande effectively used his knowledge of the Cadillac’s handling quirks to make the winning move. “This is the time to do it,” he remarked as he executed the maneuver.
Taylor offered insight into his own race performance, recalling his bid for victory against Nasr. “I made a little mistake in turn one,” he admitted while still focused on maintaining distance from van der Zande. “I knew Renger was kind of the car to beat.”
However, a mix of traffic and moments of vulnerability saw Taylor ultimately unable to fend off van der Zande’s challenge. “He made a really nice pass into turn one,” Taylor acknowledged, showcasing mutual respect for his rival’s skill.
In conclusion, both drivers celebrated their performances: Taylor, despite the defeat, highlighted the strong teamwork that led to their first podium of the season, stating, “Every single aspect was perfect, other than that little dive at the end from Renger, which he totally deserved.”
This victory reinforces van der Zande’s status in the series as he continues to demonstrate strategic acumen and competitive prowess in a rapidly evolving motorsports landscape.
