NASCAR Cup Series star reflects on 'scary' moment as teams face travel NIGHTMARE heading to Mexico City

NASCAR Cup Series star Shane van Gisbergen has reflected on a 'scary' moment he and other passengers faced heading to Mexico City.

The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series are both in action south of the border this weekend, with the Chilango 150 taking place on Saturday, followed by the Viva Mexico 250 on Sunday.

READ MORE: NASCAR Qualifying Today: Mexico City start times, schedule and how to watch live on TV

However, heading to Mexico, teams have faced somewhat of a travel nightmare, including a blown engine on one of the NASCAR chartered flights.

According to AP, there was an engine issue with the chartered flight leaving North Carolina, with van Gisbergen and other NASCAR personnel suddenly finding themselves stranded until the next day.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Ellis, who was also on the plane, spoke of the aircraft making a 'small boom' before heading back to the airport on takeoff.

READ MORE: NASCAR star reveals Kyle Busch advantage ahead of Mexico City race

Shane van Gisbergen reflects on 'pretty scary' plane moment

Reflecting on the plane's failed attempt to leave the United States and the engine blowout, Shane van Gisbergen explained, via AP: “Yeah, it wasn’t real fun."

"Yesterday was a long day. Pretty scary when the plane launched itself on take-off.

"They stopped and were trying to just get another plane. And then it was first thing this morning, so early start this morning. I think we got up at 3:30 a.m. at home and got on an early flight down here.”

Van Gisbergen continued: "You can’t predict that kind of stuff happening. There’s so many moving parts,”

“Everyone’s down here now. I think it’s all the important people, I guess, needed for [Friday], so I think they’ve done a good job salvaging it.

“I guess it’s a big deal when you think about it, but I’m not really too fussed about it.

“I’m already focused on (racing). Obviously not ideal, but it happened and we fixed it.”

The aircraft van Gisbergen was on was not the only one affected, with another NASCAR chartered flight also encountering issues, as per a statement released by the series.

According to NASCAR officials, two aircraft issues grounded multiple race teams in North Carolina on Thursday, delaying their arrival into Mexico and resulting in Friday's schedule being tweaked.

FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass has suggested that the second charter plane had been stopped by Homeland Security before leaving due to paperwork.

Saturday and Sunday's schedule in Mexico City is currently set to go ahead as planned.

READ MORE: NASCAR star addresses health concern ahead of Mexico City race

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