Shane Van Gisbergen made headlines once again in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs after securing his third pole position of the season at the Charlotte Roval.
The New Zealand native clocked an impressive lap time of 97.11 mph to claim his third pole of his rookie Xfinity season, showcasing his prowess on road courses.
The achievement was particularly significant as Van Gisbergen is looking for his fourth win of the season, and a win in the race would advance the driver of the No. 97 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet Camaro to the Round of 8 of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs.
The qualifying session was intense, with Van Gisbergen battling against a strong field of competitors. His closest rival, Sam Mayer from JR Motorsports, qualified alongside him on the front row, posting a speed of 96.871 mph.
Mayer’s performance is crucial as he entered this weekend below the playoff cutoff line, necessitating a strong showing to keep his championship hopes alive. The stakes were high for both drivers, making their duel for pole position even more thrilling.
In addition to the two standout performances, AJ Allmendinger finished third in qualifying, marking another strong showing for Kaulig Racing. Allmendinger’s experience and skill on road courses have made him a formidable competitor throughout the season.
Following closely behind were Josh Bilicki and Sheldon Creed, who rounded out the top five. Bilicki’s fourth-place start is particularly noteworthy as it marks his first top-five qualifying effort in the Xfinity Series, a testament to his growth and determination as a driver.
Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Jesse Love, Justin Allgaier and Connor Mosack rounded out the top 10.
