Shane van Gisbergen Secures Pole at Sonoma, Eyes Third Cup Win
Shane van Gisbergen continues to demonstrate his prowess in the NASCAR Cup Series, securing pole position for the upcoming race at Sonoma. This marks his fourth consecutive pole across both the Cup and Xfinity Series. Van Gisbergen is among only four drivers with multiple victories this season, needing just one more win to tie Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell, each with three wins.
Renowned driver Kyle Larson praised van Gisbergen’s exceptional talent, especially on road courses. "He’s so good… way, way better than us at the road course stuff," Larson stated. He highlighted van Gisbergen’s unique technique, including right-foot braking and clutch use, which the seasoned racer finds challenging to adapt to.
Despite his current mastery on road courses, Larson noted that van Gisbergen is still honing his skills on oval tracks. "He’s going to continue to get better at that. If he can figure out the ovals, he’s going to be dominant,” he added.
As the field prepares for the Sonoma race, expectations are high. While Larson recognizes the competition may be closer, he anticipates van Gisbergen will still lead the pack. “As good as he is, I expect him to be fastest in qualifying and execute in a good race again,” Larson remarked.
Van Gisbergen will start the race 0.250 seconds ahead of Chase Briscoe, while Larson will be positioned 11th on the grid. The upcoming race is a crucial moment for van Gisbergen, as he seeks to expand his winning streak.
Key Stats
- Pole Position: Shane van Gisbergen
- Current Wins: 2 (Tied with 3 others for most wins this season)
- Grid Positions: Van Gisbergen (1st), Chase Briscoe (2nd), Kyle Larson (11th)
