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Van Gisbergen and Power gets strong staring spots

Will Power

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 20 July 2025

Shane van Gisbergen has joked he will enjoy his “PB oval qualifying” after the weather washed away NASCAR Cup Series qualifying in Dover.

Thanks to his three road course wins, van Gisbergen is well placed in the formula used to determine grid positions, which includes championship spots and recent results when weather intervenes.

This means van Gisbergen will start Monday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 from sixth position.

It is easily his most competitive starting spot for an oval race with his best qualifying efforts a pair of 17ths, both achieved at Talladega during his wildcard runs last year.

Defending the position will be no easy feat for SVG as his first lap in a Cup car at Dover will be when the green flag drops given practice was also washed away.

Pole has been given to Chase Elliott.

Coverage begins at 3.30 AEST on Fox Sports/Kayo.

Over in Toronto at the IndyCar, Colton Herta flew to pole position.

Herta was the only driver to record a sub 60s time in qualifying around the Canadian street circuit.

Championship leader Alex Palou was next best ahead of Kiwi Marcus Armstrong, while Scott McLaughlin struggled and only managed 15th.

However, Australia’s Will Power put in a strong performance and pushed his Team Penske Chevrolet up to fourth.

“The Verizon Chevy was good, I could have been second, maybe third,” Power said.

“I kind of babied the tires the first two laps that last run, because I felt like the money lap would be the third. I probably didn’t bring him up enough.

“I knew the Andretti’s were going to be tough to beat, they look very good… we were right there, I mean, we’re close. We made some good changes, and it’s nice to get through.”

McLaughlin put his hand up for the drama.

“Driver made an error there. Just missed, turn five apex just by a little bit, and you see with the concrete here, if you’re just off a little bit because it’s not rubbered in you lose a chunk,” McLaughlin said.

“So, yeah, that’s on me. Unfortunately, sorry for everyone on the Gallagher Chevy, but we’ll make most of it tomorrow.”

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