Shane van Gisbergen seized the spotlight at Sonoma Raceway by taking pole position in NASCAR Xfinity qualifying, securing a JR Motorsports front-row sweep ahead of teammate Connor Zilisch. Displaying his strength in the Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR Xfinity Sonoma showdown, van Gisbergen outpaced the field with a lap of 1:15.259, more than two-tenths faster than Zilisch, setting the stage for a highly anticipated race.
JR Motorsports Front Row Locks Out Competition
Van Gisbergen and Zilisch delivered a repeat performance from last weekend’s Chicago Street Course, where they also finished first and second with van Gisbergen starting from pole. This consistency reinforces JR Motorsports’ dominance on road and street courses.
After his swift lap, van Gisbergen commented,
“Car is really, really good, I was having fun out there … Looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Pole Winner Discusses Track Changes and Car Setup
As defending event winner, van Gisbergen noted the significant track changes from last year, focusing on how different weather and car characteristics are shaping his approach.
“It’s hotter than last year, so it’s a bit slippery. The car is quite different from last year. Just trying to get used to that and how the car reacts. At Chicago, they weren’t too different but compared to what I had here last year, they are quite a bit different. Just trying to get it a bit centered but I feel good.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Other Qualifiers and Race Outlook
Connor Zilisch expressed disappointment over qualifying mistakes but emphasized his attention on the upcoming race day. While van Gisbergen and Zilisch filled out the front row, Sam Mayer qualified third, Jesse Love followed in fourth, and William Sawalich rounded out the top five. Sawalich emerged as the fastest in Group A, though his time did not earn a place among the two lead rows.
Completing the top ten were Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, Brandon Jones, Sheldon Creed, and Justin Allgaier. In contrast, Austin J. Hill, running for Joey Gase Motorsports, was the only driver unable to make the race field after qualifying in the No. 35 car.
Qualifying Session Incidents and Noteworthy Performances
The session proceeded without major incidents but included several off-track excursions. Will Rodgers spun during his run, and both Josh Bilicki and Carson Kvapil found themselves in the dirt at separate points. Nick Sanchez had particular trouble, veering off course twice during his attempts. Taylor Gray suffered an engine failure, relegating him to start at the back of the pack.
Significance for Van Gisbergen and JR Motorsports
With this result, van Gisbergen now boasts five career poles in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, exclusively achieved on road and street circuits, highlighting his adaptability and technical skill. As the race approaches, all eyes are on van Gisbergen, Zilisch, and JR Motorsports to see whether their qualifying advantage will hold through to the finish in Sonoma, where key drivers like Jesse Love, Sammy Smith, and Sheldon Creed are eager to challenge the front-runners.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Shane van Gisbergen, Adelaide?
A. Sadly, Van Gisbergen’s last races didn’t go as perfectly as many had hoped. On Saturday, during the first lap, he hit Will Brown’s car, which had already crashed at Turn 4. Then, on Sunday, he faced braking problems that prevented him from completing the race.
Q. Is Shane van Gisbergen an American citizen?
A. He was the first from New Zealand to secure a win in the Cup Series. Additionally, he holds the most victories among non-American drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Q. How many Supercar Championships did Shane van Gisbergen win?
A. Shane van Gisbergen, often called SVG, has an impressive record with wins in the Bathurst 12 Hour race. He also earned a podium finish in the 24 Hours of Daytona and won three championships in the Australian Supercars series.
Q. How much did Shane van Gisbergen win in NASCAR?
A. Shane van Gisbergen, driving for Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet SVG, first won in Chicago in 2023. He later claimed victory in the first Cup race in Mexico City earlier this year and has recently won again in Chicago. These three wins make him the most successful foreign-born driver in NASCAR Cup Series history.
