Pole Position Drama at Sonoma
Shane van Gisbergen claimed the pole for the upcoming NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Sonoma Raceway, posting a blistering lap of 1:15.029. The New Zealand driver’s performance set the tone for a competitive weekend on the 1.98‑mile road course.
Brent Crews, the young talent from the JR Motorsports stable, will line up alongside van Gisbergen after a qualifying run just 0.2 seconds slower, positioning himself as the closest challenger.
Connor Zilisch, who had shown strong pace in practice, will have to fight from 30th after a sudden tire failure aborted his final attempt, dropping him to the back of the grid.
The full starting lineup features a mix of veteran and rookie drivers from powerhouse organizations including JR Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Haas Factory Team and many others, each bringing distinct liveries and sponsor partnerships.
The race is scheduled for June 27 and will run 79 laps, covering 156.9 miles, divided into three stages of 20, 25 and 34 laps. The Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 will be shown nationally on the CW Network, with live streaming available through FUBO, which offers a free trial in select markets.
Fans can also tune in via audio feeds on NASCAR.com and SiriusXM, though the latter requires a subscription. The event promises a blend of strategy and speed as teams navigate the technical turns of Sonoma’s elevation changes.
A Deep Look at the Competitors
Teams such as Jordan Anderson Racing, Sam Hunt Racing, SS Green Light Racing and DGM Racing will field entries, each hoping to capitalize on the unique challenges of the California venue. The diversity of sponsors, from food‑delivery services to automotive brands, underscores the commercial breadth of the series.
With a deep field of drivers — including Taylor Gray, Anthony Alfredo, Parker Retzlaff, Corey Day, Jesse Love and a host of others — the race is shaping up to be a showcase of talent and teamwork, all under the bright lights of a summer weekend in wine country.