NASCAR News: Van Gisbergen wins Charlotte Cup Roval pole

Turning his first-ever laps on the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Chevrolet’s New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen drove his Chevrolet-powered machines to the top of the leaderboard in both qualifying sessions – claiming the pole for today’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 and Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400.

The poles wins – his first in the Cup Series and third in the Xfinity Series – came after a strong practice session in both series, driving his Kaulig Racing Chevrolet’s to the top of the leaderboard in each.

The Busch Light Pole Award was van Gisbergen’s first in the Cup Series, but it wasn’t secure until after Reddick made a last-ditch run to try to unseat the Kaulig Racing Chevrolet driver.

Van Gisbergen’s lap at 99.246 mph (82.704 seconds) held up, as Reddick earned the second grid position in his No. 45 23XI Toyota with a lap at 99.135 mph (82.796 seconds).

“What an amazing day,” van Gisbergen proclaimed after claiming his second pole of the afternoon. “I’m at a loss for words.”

Because the Bank of America ROVAL 400 is the elimination race for the Round of 12 in the series playoffs, van Gisbergen, making his 10th Cup start of the season, wants to avoid scenarios where he influences postseason outcomes.

“We’ve got to race respectfully,” he acknowledged. “There are a lot of playoff guys, but I’m here to win the race.”

In addition to Reddick, five other playoff drivers made the final round of time trials and will start from top-10 positions. Joey Logano was fourth and Team Penske teammate Austin Cindric fifth, in the top two Fords on the grid.

Kyle Larson claimed the sixth starting spot ahead of Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott (seventh), a two-time winner at the Roval, and William Byron (10th), who already has clinched a berth on the Round of 8.

Non-playoff drivers AJ Allmendinger (third at 98.874 mph), Brad Keselowski (eighth) and Bubba Wallace (ninth) also will start from the top 10.

Allmendinger is the defending winner of this race. The driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet also has triumphed in each of his four Xfinity Series starts at the 2.28-mile, 17-turn hybrid road course, which has been reconfigured in Turns 6, 7 and 16.

Other playoff drivers will start as follows: Christopher Bell (12th), Daniel Suárez (13th), defending series champion Ryan Blaney (14th), Alex Bowman (17th), Denny Hamlin (18th) and Chase Briscoe (25th).

Logano, Suárez, Cindric and Briscoe start the event below the current elimination line for the Round of 8.

Shane van Gisbergen Pole Win Quotes

FOR THE SECOND TIME TODAY, SHANE VAN GISBERGEN WINS A POLE AT THE ROVAL. HOW FUN WAS THAT TO WATCH THE CLOSING LAPS AND TYLER REDDICK TRYING TO BEAT YOUR TIME?

“Yeah, he’s obviously very quick to do those extra laps and still match it. But man, thank you to this Kaulig Racing team. It was a last-minute deal to come and run this Cup race here, so thanks to Matt (Kaulig) and the guys for letting me run their car, and for WeatherTech coming on board.

Our Chevy is really quick. What an amazing day.. I’m lost for words.”

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TOMORROW TO START AND FINISH IN THE FIRST POSITION?

“Yeah, just make sure we race clean. I have to respect that there’s a lot of playoff guys around me and I have to race respectfully. But yeah, we’re here to win the race. I have a teammate up there with me, too, so obviously the team has done a great job. But yeah, hopefully we have a good day.”

Starting Lineup