SHANE van Gisbergen will launch from 33rd position for Monday morning’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.
After a tough run last time out in Las Vegas, the Kiwi was the seventh car on track for qualifying, running amongst cars in the unfavourable end of the draw.
Ultimately, it was a difficult outing for the Trackhouse Racing crew, with Ross Chastain in 25th and Connor Zilisch in 32nd.
Earlier in practice, van Gisbergen logged the 34th fastest time.
For the race, SVG will sport the colours of WeatherTech, with the brand returning to the #97 for the first time since the 2025 season finale in Phoenix.
Of note, the teams will utilise the same tyre compounds that were raced last weekend; however, for the event, cars will be equipped with the short-track, low-downforce aerodynamic package, paired with the new, more powerful 750hp engines.
Teams have forecast that, in the race, lap times around the classically egg-shaped 1.3-mile oval are expected to drop by 4 to 5 seconds over the course of a stint.
Tyler Reddick will start from pole position, ahead of 23 XI teammate Bubba Wallace.
Van Gisbergen has raced at Darlington on three occasions, finishing 26th, 20th, and 32nd, although he led the first and most recent races for a total of seven laps.
Earlier in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he collected results of 15th and 7th in 2024, driving for Kaulig Racing.
The three-time Bathurst 1000 victor will be looking to get his championship charge back on track with a solid result in Darlington, having drifted from fifth in the standings to 16th after a last-place result last time out.
The race is scheduled for a green flag at 6am AEDT.
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