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Shane van Gisbergen wins Sonoma pole, full Cup Series qualifying results

JHby: Jonathan Howard07/12/25Jondean25
NASCAR Sonoma pole Shane van Gisbergen
Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

No one was going to beat him anyway, but Shane van Gisbergen went out and set an even quicker time to win the pole. It was SVG against himself but he still pulled about three-tenths more out of the lap to win his second Cup Series pole in a row.

Shane van Gisbergen and Chase Briscoe are on the front row for Sunday’s race. Right now, SVG’s quest for a second straight weekend sweep is still alive. He won the Xfinity Series pole on Friday during qualifying. Can he go back-to-back?

A few drivers had issues. Spire Motorsports had all three of their drivers spin during practice. Katherine Legge had brake issues and didn’t really practice much or qualify. She still makes the race with 37 cars in Sonoma.

Once again, Shane van Gisbergen wins the NASCAR Cup Series pole. What a driver, folks!

“I’m shaking. That was pretty full-on, but I’m stoked,” SVG said of his final lap. “Stoked to have Red Bull on the car, and thank you to Trackhouse and Chevy. Amazing car. We weren’t very good in practice, but new tires fixed it. So, yeah, hopfeully we can be good in the race. But yeah, what a cool day, and hopefully, have a good race this afternoon, too.”

Shane van Gisbergen did not like his car much in practice. He was P3 in single lap speed. But it looks like his team has fixed that issue. Now, just a few more minor adjustments and the 88 will be ready for tomorrow’s race.

“Ah, just a bit more rear grip and good bit of balance,” van Gisbergen said. “You know, the car’s got a bit of everything. So, yeah, just tune it up a little bit, but we’re obviously not in a bad spot to start.”

Everyone is chasing SVG once again. Let’s see if Briscoe or someone else can give him a real challenge tomorrow. Full qualifying results and starting lineup below:

This is Shane van Gisbergen’s time to shine. He has two wins this season, and he could get to three tomorrow. He would then be tied with Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell for most wins this season. With Watkins Glen not far away, there is a world where SVG is the wins leader going into the playoffs.

Many think that the longtime Cup drivers are learning from SVG and slowly closing the gap. Then you see a qualifying session like that, and a lap like that, from van Gisbergen, and it is a stark reminder. The gap isn’t closing, in fact, it may be widening as the Kiwi gets more comfortable in the Next Gen car and on these NASCAR tracks.