The afternoon sun baked the asphalt at Sonoma Raceway as drivers fought for the best starting spots in what promises to be a tightly contested event. Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand road‑racing star, managed only sixth on the grid despite being a favorite on the road course, while Ty Gibbs delivered a near‑perfect lap to claim his first pole of the 2026 season.
Carson Hocevar followed in second, marking his second consecutive week on the front row, and Kyle Larson, the hometown favorite, secured third. Larson’s placement puts him in a prime position to attack on the winding turns that define the California venue.
Michael McDowell, renowned for his road‑course prowess, qualified fourth, while Ross Chastain rounded out the top five, giving Chevrolet a strong presence near the front of the field. The top five set the stage for a race that could reshape the championship picture.
Championship contenders line up
Further down the grid, Chase Briscoe and AJ Allmendinger will start seventh and eighth, respectively, setting up an intriguing matchup. Veteran Denny Hamlin and two‑time champion Joey Logano completed the top ten, ensuring that several of the sport’s heavyweights will be fighting their way forward from mid‑pack.
William Byron will have to climb from 13th, while Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman find themselves further back at 18th and 22nd. Both drivers will need to leverage strategy and overtaking skill to re‑enter the conversation as the race unfolds.