Shane van Gisbergen will start on pole for the NASCAR Cup Series Sonoma race on Sunday, July 13, 2025, as he aims to follow up his recent Chicago Street Race victory with another strong performance. The New Zealander edged out Chase Briscoe by one-quarter of a second during Saturday’s qualifying session, setting the stage for a competitive race at Sonoma Raceway.
Van Gisbergen’s performance has put him closer to cementing his legacy in the sport, coming off a weekend where he won the Cup Series event but was denied a sweep when Connor Zilisch triumphed in the Xfinity Series race the day before. Despite some penalties affecting his standing, van Gisbergen’s start from the pole underscores his potential to dominate again.
Full Starting Lineup Revealed for the Toyota / Save Mart 350
The complete starting grid for Sunday’s event showcases a mix of seasoned veterans and rising talent, highlighting the competitiveness of the NASCAR Cup Series Sonoma lineup. Following Shane van Gisbergen and Chase Briscoe in the top spots are William Byron in third and Ross Chastain in fourth, both driving Chevrolet vehicles. AJ Allmendinger secures the fifth position, rounding out the top five as the favored starters.
Ty Gibbs stands out as the highest-ranked driver from the In-Season Challenge, claiming sixth place. Katherine Legge will start at the back of the field after missing qualifying due to brake issues during practice, but unlike the Chicago event, she faces no risk of missing the race as only 37 drivers have entered without a cut line in Sonoma.
The top ten drivers set to start Sunday’s race include:
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Ross Chastain, No. 1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12, Team Penske Ford
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 23XI Racing Toyota
- Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
The line-up extends through 37 drivers, featuring key names such as Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, and Daniel Suarez, who will compete in this 218.9-mile contest, representing a broad spectrum of NASCAR teams and manufacturers.
Viewing Options for NASCAR Sonoma Race Broadcast
The NASCAR Cup Series action at Sonoma, known as the Toyota / Save Mart 350, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports across the United States. Fans can also catch live radio coverage on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and the Performance Racing Network (PRN), providing multiple ways to follow the event.
International viewers have access to the race through various broadcasters, depending on the country. For example, Fox Sports Australia will cover the race in Australia, while viewers in the United Kingdom can watch via Viaplay Group. Other countries such as Canada, Spain, France, Germany, and Japan have select broadcasters ensuring global coverage:
- United States: TNT Sports
- Australia: Fox Sports Australia
- United Kingdom: Viaplay Group
- Canada: TSN, RDS
- Spain: DAZN
- France: Mediawan (AB Moteurs/Automono)
- Germany: More Than Sports, Sport1
- Japan: Gaora
This diverse broadcast network allows NASCAR to engage its global fan base efficiently.
Race Details: Distance, Duration, and Schedule
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Sonoma race will cover 110 laps around the challenging 2.0-mile road course, totaling approximately 218.9 miles (352.285 kilometers). This event tests driver skill and team strategy on a complex circuit known for tight turns and elevation changes.
Scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the race promises an intense battle for victory among the top drivers in the Cup Series. Following the NASCAR Chicago event earlier in the season, Sonoma offers a critical opportunity for drivers like van Gisbergen and Byron to strengthen their championship bids.
Competitive Implications for the Season and Drivers
Van Gisbergen’s pole position underlines his growing prominence in the NASCAR Cup Series through consistent top finishes and strategic racing. With multiple teams such as Trackhouse Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and 23XI Racing fielding strong lineups, the competition at Sonoma remains fierce.
The race outcome could influence points standings and driver momentum as the season progresses. Drivers who deliver strong performances at Sonoma will be poised to capitalize on playoff positioning and bolster their chances for championship contention.
With no cut line at Sonoma, all drivers on the entry list will compete, ensuring a full field and increasing the unpredictability of race results. Fans and teams alike will closely watch for how strategy, reliability, and on-track decisions shape the race’s outcome.