Ty Gibbs will lead the field for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway after claiming pole position in a tightly contested qualifying session.
The 23-year-old driver edged out Carson Hocevar by a mere 0.025 seconds, a margin that underscored the competitiveness of the session and left Gibbs upbeat about his car’s pace.
A crowded midfield
Kyle Larson secured third spot at 95.686 mph, while Michael McDowell followed in fourth at 95.677 mph. Ross Chastain claimed fifth after a solid run, and Shane van Gisbergen moved to sixth despite noting handling concerns during practice.
Chase Briscoe and AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top eight, with Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano filling the final two positions of the top ten. Tyler Reddick will start eleventh.
Wallace’s early setback
Bubba Wallace’s qualifying was cut short when he crashed within the first three minutes of Group 2, forcing him to start the race in a backup car.
The incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of the session and added an extra layer of strategy for Wallace’s team, which will need to navigate the early laps without the usual setup advantages.
Gibbs, meanwhile, emphasized the need to stay focused on the race rather than the qualifying result, a mindset that could prove decisive as the event unfolds on the scenic road course.