Shane Van Gisbergen made headlines by claiming his first NASCAR Cup Series pole at the Charlotte Roval during the qualifying session for the Bank of America ROVAL 400.
The achievement marked a significant milestone in the New Zealand racing sensation’s transition from the Australian Supercars series to NASCAR, after also securing the top spot for Saturday‘s Xfinity Series race.
The qualifying session took place on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Charlotte Roval and it was a day filled with high-stakes performances as drivers vied for optimal starting positions ahead of a critical playoff race.
Van Gisbergen’s impressive lap time of 82.704 seconds, translating to an average speed of 99.246 mph, secured him the top spot on the grid. He edged out Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing by a narrow margin of just 0.057 seconds, demonstrating the competitive nature of the qualifying round.
The session began with drivers navigating the intricacies of the Charlotte Roval, a unique motor speedway track that combines elements of both road racing and traditional oval racing. The layout features 17 turns and challenges drivers with its tight corners and elevation changes, making precision and strategy essential for success.
As the session unfolded, it became clear that Van Gisbergen was in exceptional form, consistently posting fast laps that placed him at the forefront of the field. As the 35-year old secured his first NASCAR Cup Series pole, several other notable drivers also showcased their skills during qualifying.
AJ Allmendinger, another Kaulig Racing driver and a familiar face at the Roval, qualified third. Allmendinger is known for his prowess on road courses and aimed to leverage that experience in this crucial race.
Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Austin Cindric secured fourth and fifth positions respectively, both drivers being key playoff contenders facing pressure to perform well in this elimination race.
Logano entered the weekend below the cut line, making his strong qualifying effort all the more critical as he seeks to advance in the playoffs.
Hendrick Motorsports had a solid showing as well, with Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott securing sixth and seventh positions. Both drivers are playoff contenders and were eager to capitalize on their favorable starting spots to gain valuable points in their championship campaigns.
The top ten was rounded out by Brad Keselowski in eighth place and Bubba Wallace in ninth. William Byron, who has already secured his place in the next round of Cup playoffs, qualified tenth, showcasing his consistency throughout the season.
As for other Cup playoffs drivers, Christopher Bell qualified twelfth while Daniel Suarez took thirteenth. Ryan Blaney will start from fourteenth, Alex Bowman seventeenth, and Denny Hamlin eighteenth.
Notably, Chase Briscoe faced a challenging day, qualifying twenty-fifth—making him the lowest-qualifying playoff driver heading into this critical race.
The stakes were high as only eight drivers would advance to the next round of playoffs after the Bank of America ROVAL 400. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as teams prepared for what promised to be an exciting showdown on Sunday.
Van Gisbergen’s first NASCAR Cup Series pole not only highlights his talent but also reflects positively on Kaulig Racing’s decision to bring him into their lineup for this event. His ability to adapt quickly to a new racing environment has been remarkable and speaks volumes about his potential future in NASCAR.
