Shane van Gisbergen claims Busch Light Pole at Naval Base Coronado
Shane van Gisbergen has done it again. Despite his own insistence that the Qualcomm Circuit presents a genuine struggle, the Trackhouse Racing driver snatched pole position for the inaugural Anduril 250 with a 90.809 mph lap. This marks the sixth career Cup Series pole for the man driving the No. 97 Trackhouse Chevrolet, who clearly remains the benchmark when it comes to road courses.
It was a busy day on the 3.4-mile, 16-turn course. Carson Hocevar put his No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet alongside Van Gisbergen on the front row, marking a career-best road course qualifying effort for the 23-year-old. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney of Team Penske and Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith locked out the second row. It sets the stage for a race where, historically, the front of the grid is the place to be; 22 of the 28 Next Gen-era road course events have been won from the top eight positions.
Things were tougher for others. Points leader Tyler Reddick brushed the wall during his second qualifying lap, while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin starts 25th. Christopher Bell, dealing with a broken wrist, will start 37th, the same spot as hometown hero Jimmie Johnson in the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. As for Kevin Magnussen, his NASCAR debut in the No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet sees him starting 21st.
