Getty

Shane van Gisbergen won pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen after another dominant road course qualifying run.

Shane van Gisbergen will lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to green at Watkins Glen International.

The Trackhouse Racing driver won the pole for Sunday’s Cup race at The Glen, continuing his road course surge with another statement run in qualifying. Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported the top 10 as van Gisbergen, Michael McDowell, Austin Cindric, Ross Chastain, Connor Zilisch, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe and Ty Gibbs.

For van Gisbergen, it is another reminder of how quickly he has become one of NASCAR’s most dangerous road course drivers. Watkins Glen already shaped up as one of the biggest swing races of the weekend, and now the Cup field will have to chase him from the opening lap.

Shane van Gisbergen Leads Watkins Glen Cup Starting Lineup

Van Gisbergen’s pole gives him the cleanest possible path into Turn 1, which matters at Watkins Glen. The opening lap can get physical quickly, especially when drivers are stacked together trying to make up ground before the field settles in.

McDowell will start alongside van Gisbergen on the front row, giving Sunday’s race a road course-heavy front row. Cindric starts third, with Chastain fourth and Zilisch fifth.

The rest of the top 10 includes Logano, Blaney, Bell, Briscoe and Gibbs.

That is a strong mix of road course talent, playoff-level speed and aggressive race craft. It also means van Gisbergen will not have much room to breathe early, even with the benefit of track position.

Watkins Glen Cup Qualifying Results: Top 10

1. Shane van Gisbergen
2. Michael McDowell
3. Austin Cindric
4. Ross Chastain
5. Connor Zilisch
6. Joey Logano
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Christopher Bell
9. Chase Briscoe
10. Ty Gibbs

Connor Zilisch Continues Turning Heads

One of the biggest takeaways from qualifying was Zilisch landing inside the top five.

That is a major result in a Cup field loaded with proven road course drivers. Zilisch has already built a reputation as one of NASCAR’s most exciting young talents, and a top-five starting spot at Watkins Glen only adds to the attention around him.

He will have a chance to start near the front, avoid some of the mid-pack chaos and measure himself immediately against some of the best drivers in the series.

Sunday’s Race Gets Another Major Storyline

Watkins Glen was already set up to be one of the most intriguing races on the schedule. Van Gisbergen starting from the pole only raises the stakes.

The question now is whether anyone can beat him straight up on pace, or whether strategy, cautions and restarts will open the door for someone else.

At a track where braking zones, pit timing and clean air can all change the race, starting first is a major advantage. But Watkins Glen rarely stays simple for long.