Van Gisbergen soars to Chicago pole sweep

Shane van Gisbergen has made another statement by taking both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series poles in Chicago, while Jack Perkins also impressed.

Van Gisbergen’s 1:29.656s was a huge four tenths clear of nearest Cup competitor Michael McDowell, while fellow Supercars driver Will Brown will make his second NASCAR start from 19th.

Carson Hocevar, Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe completed the top five as Noah Gragson crashed and the likes of Bubba Wallace and Brad Keselowski spun.

Having won from pole in Mexico, SVG is full of confidence and aims to repeat the success at the street circuit where his American dream started in fairytale fashion two years ago.

Van Gisbergen arrived at Chicago two years ago as an unknown wildcard, but left as the biggest name in America after winning on debut.

After being taken out last year, van Gisbergen has put himself in the best position to return to victory lane after a third career pole.

The Cup Series pole arrives after doing the same in the Xfinity Series.

Returning to the second teir, SVG beat his old rival Austin Hill with a 1:30.085s lap that was three tenths clear of the #21.

Jack Perkins impressed in his first drive of the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota by securing fifth on the grid for his debut eight tenths off the pace.

“That was epic, the guys did a great job, and I am a lucky boy,” van Gisbergen said.

“To get both the Cup and Xfinity poles is pretty special.

“Practice was not that great but went out in qualifying and the car was great and put in two pretty good laps.

“The Xfinity car gives you a great leg up before jumping in the Cup car.”

It was a big step up after practice where van Gisbergen admitted he took things “too easy.”

my practice went okay. It’s very hot, so it’s slick out there at the times,” he said. 

“They’re a lot slower than previous years. My car felt pretty good. I probably took it too easy. I had too much left at the end of practice, but yeah, I feel like my race car was pretty good. I liked a few things.

“Then in qualifying, I sharpened it up. My first lap was a pretty good banker and I knew I had a lot left. 

“And then the next lap went pretty decent… probably had two- or three-tenths left, and pretty cool to lay it down.”

The Xfinity Series race is about to begin, while the Cup Series race is from 3.30-7.30am Monday morning.

Image: NASCAR

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