A Tight Battle for Pole Position
Saturday’s qualifying round at Sonoma Raceway delivered a thriller, with Ty Gibbs posting a lap of 74.830 seconds at 95.737 mph to claim the top spot on the grid for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350.
Carson Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, came within a whisker, posting a 74.854‑second effort at 95.706 mph to secure second place. Behind them, Kyle Larson claimed third, while Michael McDowell and Ross Chastain rounded out the top five.
Spire Motorsports’ Double Advantage
Spire Motorsports celebrated a rare double‑row achievement as both Hocevar and Michael McDowell lined up in the first two rows, underscoring the team’s strong performance on the technical road course.
Reddick’s Uphill Battle
Trackhouse Racing teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will share Row 3, adding another layer of intrigue to the weekend’s lineup. Points leader Tyler Reddick, meanwhile, will start 11th, meaning he must fight his way forward on a circuit where track position has historically proved decisive.
Chasing a Breakthrough Victory
Gibbs enters the race with the added advantage of leading the field to the green flag, aiming to convert his first pole of the season into his maiden victory. The combination of fresh tires, strategic pit stops and the unique demands of Sonoma’s elevation changes could prove pivotal.