As the NASCAR Cup Series weekend unfolded at Watkins Glen, all eyes were on whether any driver could challenge Shane van Gisbergen’s pace in qualifying and the race. The answer came unexpectedly through Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, who claimed the pole with an 11.960-second lap, just ahead of van Gisbergen’s 11.993-second effort. Bubba Wallace issued a playful warning to Blaney that van Gisbergen would be coming after him fiercely on race day.
Ryan Blaney’s Pole Position Sparks Friendly Competition with Bubba Wallace
Ryan Blaney secured the front row start on Sunday, positioning himself as the driver to beat at Watkins Glen. His close friend Bubba Wallace couldn’t resist teasing him after the qualifying session. Wallace humorously suggested that van Gisbergen would “really wax” Blaney once the race began, highlighting the competitive pressure from the Toyota driver and Supercars champion.
“I mean, take little wins when you can get them. Bubba came up to me and said, ‘Well, that was a bad idea because now he’s going to really wax you tomorrow.’”
—Ryan Blaney, Waters Glen post-qualifying interview
Blaney welcomed the banter and saw it as a sign that his pole might mark the beginning of his growing competitiveness against van Gisbergen on road courses. Reflecting on the previous year’s difficulties, when he was caught in an early wreck starting deep in the field, Blaney expressed satisfaction with his improved starting position.
“I said, ‘Hey, beat him once this weekend.’ So, we gotta start somewhere. It’s just nice to start towards the front. Last year, at this race, we had a rough weekend and qualified in the back. Got into the wreck on Lap 1, and um, to turn around and have a much better start to the weekend at least, just hope to keep it up.”
—Ryan Blaney
Beyond the personal boost, the pole was also significant for Team Penske, marking their 150th pole in the Cup Series. Blaney hopes to translate his one-lap speed advantage into a strong overall performance on a circuit where he has struggled historically.
Shane van Gisbergen Reflects on Qualifying and Upcoming Race Challenge
Van Gisbergen, representing Trackhouse Racing, aimed to rebound after a tough weekend at Watkins Glen last year. Although he missed the pole by fractions, securing second position is a solid foundation for Sunday’s race. He admitted his laps were not flawless but remained optimistic about starting near the front.
“Man, it’s amazing how close it all is for a road course. My laps were OK, and there probably were some things I could have fixed. Decent start for tomorrow.”
—Shane van Gisbergen
On Saturday, van Gisbergen participated in the Xfinity Series race, which ended prematurely for him after a severe crash caused by contact with teammate Conor Zilisch during a battle for the lead. While van Gisbergen withdrew, Zilisch went on to win the race, adding a layer of determination for van Gisbergen to make a strong showing on Sunday and redeem himself.
Implications of the Watkins Glen Race for Drivers and Teams
Ryan Blaney’s pole and van Gisbergen’s strong qualifying pace foreshadow an intense battle at Watkins Glen, with the Kiwi driver eager to demonstrate his road course mastery. Bubba Wallace’s warning emphasizes the high stakes and fierce competition expected as the race moves forward. With Team Penske celebrating a historic milestone and van Gisbergen seeking redemption after Saturday’s crash, Sunday’s race promises to have significant implications for the Cup Series leaderboard and momentum heading into the next events.