Dale Earnhardt Jr. Calls Out Shane van Gisbergen After Chicago Spin

**Dale Earnhardt Jr.** blasted Shane van Gisbergen on July 5, 2026, saying the New Zealand driver deliberately spun Austin Hill during Stage 1 of the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Earnhardt’s comments on *Dale Jr. Download* have reignited a rivalry that began in San Diego.

During the opening stage, van Gisbergen clipped the rear bumper of Hill’s No. 33 Chevrolet, sending the car into a spin. Hill, now driving for Trackhouse Racing, claimed the move was intentional, while van Gisbergen insisted it was a racing incident. No penalty was issued by NASCAR, leaving the dispute unsettled.

Earnhardt, a former RCR driver and current broadcaster, said on the podcast, “I thought it was intentional. Zane, I thought it was intentional. SVG, I thought it was intentional.” He added that NASCAR rarely acts without clear evidence or an admission of guilt. His remarks highlight the ongoing tension between the two hard‑charging drivers.

The animosity traces back to a clash at San Diego Naval Base, where Hill missed a corner while battling for the lead and took out van Gisbergen’s road‑course ringer. Richard Childress later suggested the Chicago incident could be payback, though Hill denied any retaliation motive.

Van Gisbergen finished 25th at Chicagoland and remains 14th in the Chase with 437 points. He sits behind Austin Cindric of Team Penske and Erik Jones of Legacy Motor Club in the bubble. Hill, a replacement for the late Kyle Busch, is not eligible for the Cup title but is being considered for a full‑time RCR seat after nine starts without a top‑10 finish.

Hill’s blunt post‑race interview left the door open for NASCAR to intervene, but the sanctioning body has yet to act. Van Gisbergen will aim to improve his standing in the remaining races, while Earnhardt’s commentary may influence how fans and officials view on‑track aggression.

Earnhardt’s outspoken take reinforces his reputation as a candid voice in NASCAR media. By calling out perceived misconduct, he continues the tradition of former drivers shaping the sport’s narrative from the broadcast booth.

*The eero 400 took place on July 5, 2026, at Chicagoland Speedway. No official penalties were handed down for either driver.*