Shane van Gisbergen wins Cup Series pole, sweeps qualifying at the Roval

Tell me if this sounds familiar, Shane van Gisbergen is one the pole at the Charlotte Roval. He swept the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series poles. Quite an impressive effort for his first time ever at this track.

Every time we see him on a road course, Shane van Gisbergen impresses. He did it once again today in Charlotte. Tyler Reddick wanted that pole, but the playoff driver was upset by SVG.

Usually, SVG would be preparing for the Bathurst 1000. Instead, he will start not one but two NASCAR races on the pole today and tomorrow.

This is his first Cup Series pole ever. He will look to add his second career Cup Series win on Sunday.

Shane van Gisbergen WINS THE POLE for the second time today!

He starts first in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race AND in Sunday's Cup Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL. pic.twitter.com/jVt6ZFuBS3

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 12, 2024

Behind Shane van Gisbergen are Tyler Reddick, AJ Allmendinger, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, and William Byron in the top-10.

Playoff drivers not in the top-10: Christopher Bell, Daniel Suárez, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe. Those drivers will have a very hard time getting through the field, scoring points, and advancing if they get into trouble early.

Suárez and Briscoe are particularly vulnerable. Those teams may have to pull out all of the stops in order to make up track position and put themselves in a spot to advance.

Cup race lineup for Sunday at Watkins Glen: pic.twitter.com/YJDjzDBc5Q

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 12, 2024

Shane van Gisbergen wins Xfinity Series pole

For the third time this season, Shane van Gisbergen is on the pole in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Will he advance in the playoffs? SVG enters today 10 points under the cutline, he can point his way in or just go out and win his way to the Round of 8.

This round of the playoffs is finishing up great for Shane van Gisbergen. He has recently held his own on the ovals. P8 at Kansas, and he had a good run going at Talladega before being wrecked out of the race.

Today at the Roval, he was more than two-tenths quicker than Sam Mayer. Mayer is hoping to win his way into the Round of 8 like he did last season. The No. 1 team was hit with a DQ after last week at Talladega and now they are in a points hole.

SVG, Mayer, Allmendinger, Josh Bilicki, Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Jesse Love, Justin Allgaier, and Connor Mosack make up the top-10. This is going to be a slugfest.