Shane van Gisbergen continued to demonstrate his dominance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Chicago Pole by clinching the top starting position for The Loop 110 held at the Chicago Street Race. On Saturday, the three-time Supercars champion completed the challenging 12-turn, 2.14-mile course in 90.085 seconds, narrowly beating Austin Hill by just two-tenths of a second to lock in his pole position.
Known as a specialist on street circuits, van Gisbergen had already showcased his skill by winning last season’s Xfinity event at the downtown track and triumphing in the inaugural 2023 Cup Series race despite rainy conditions. His consistent performance made him the favorite to win the Xfinity race, reflected in the FanDuel Sportsbook odds giving him +215 to take Victory Lane Sunday at the Grant Park 165.
Practice and Qualifying Highlights Reveal Competitive Field
Van Gisbergen also led the practice sessions, reaffirming his advantage over the competition. Rookie Connor Zilisch posted the second-fastest time during practice and held promising betting odds at +135; however, mechanical issues with his No. 88 Chevrolet prevented him from qualifying. He will begin the race in 35th position using a backup vehicle. Meanwhile, Kris Wright and Sage Karam failed to qualify for Saturday’s event, underscoring the strong level of competition for The Loop 110.
Only nine drivers managed to post lap times within one second of van Gisbergen, with Sam Mayer, Sheldon Creed, and Jack Perkins rounding out the top five qualifiers along with Austin Hill. Van Gisbergen’s pole lap was notably quicker than the bulk of the field, highlighting his expertise on the demanding street circuit.
Full Starting Lineup for The Loop 110 at Chicago Street Race
The starting grid for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’s The Loop 110 showcases a mix of experienced drivers and promising newcomers. Shane van Gisbergen leads the field in the No. 9 Chevrolet, followed closely by Austin Hill in the No. 21 Chevrolet. The first ten starters feature a variety of manufacturers, including Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet, demonstrating the diversity within the series.
Here is the complete lineup of starters for The Loop 110:
1. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 9 Chevrolet
2. Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
3. Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
4. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
5. Jack Perkins, No. 19 Toyota
6. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
7. William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
8. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
9. Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
10. Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
11. Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
12. Preston Pardus, No. 50 Chevrolet
13. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
14. Alex Labbe, No. 07 Ford
15. Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
16. Connor Mosack, No. 14 Chevrolet
17. Austin Green, No. 32 Chevrolet
18. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
19. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
20. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 Chevrolet
21. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
22. Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
23. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
24. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
25. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
26. Brad Perez, No. 45 Chevrolet
27. Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
28. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
29. Andre Castro, No. 35 Chevrolet
30. Kaz Grala, No. 24 Toyota
31. Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
32. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
33. Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
34. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
35. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
36. Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
37. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
38. Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
Outlook and Potential Impact of Van Gisbergen’s Performance
Van Gisbergen’s command of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Chicago Pole reinforces his reputation as a street course expert and puts him in a favorable position to contend for the race win this weekend. His performances at Grant Park suggest he is well prepared to contend in both national racing events during this weekend’s Chicago Street Race.
With tough competitors like Austin Hill and Sam Mayer close behind in qualifying, the race promises to be competitive, while van Gisbergen’s lead carries significant momentum. As the Cup Series Grant Park 165 approaches on Sunday, van Gisbergen’s success early in the weekend could influence betting markets and fan expectations.