Shane van Gisbergen Clinches Pole at NASCAR All-Star Open

Shane van Gisbergen took the pole position for the NASCAR All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 16, 2025, marking a major achievement for the New Zealander. Van Gisbergen, who drives the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, was making his debut on the historic oval track.

He surprised many by posting the fastest time among the 18 drivers vying for a coveted spot in the All-Star Race. The qualifying format was different from a standard session, requiring drivers to complete a timed run that included a four-tire pit stop in the middle of the second lap.

Any mistake, including loose wheels or pit road speeding, could result in costly penalties. During qualifying, van Gisbergen showed skill on both the circuit and pit entry, gaining time by braking aggressively heading onto pit road.

His pit crew also performed a smooth and fast tire change. Afterward, van Gisbergen commented that the team “got all the things right” and praised the Trackhouse pit crew for their quick work.

“My lap was pretty good, coming in was good, pit stop guys were insane so really good for them,” he said. While van Gisbergen had never before started from the front of an oval, he was clearly excited to see what he could accomplish in the open race.

In last year’s Cup Series, van Gisbergen’s best oval start was 17th at Talladega, making his progress in this qualifying session stand out even more. Joining him on the front row is Carson Hocevar, who drives for Spire Motorsports.

Both van Gisbergen and Hocevar are among the top five drivers in fan voting for the final All-Star Race transfer spot. Noah Gragson qualified third, Michael McDowell placed fourth, and Ryan Preece set the fifth fastest time, creating a competitive field for the main event.

The remainder of the top 10 included Zane Smith, Justin Haley, John Hunter Nemechek, Ty Gibbs, and Ty Dillon. Only the top two finishers from the All-Star Open will earn their way into the All-Star Race, while a third will advance thanks to fan votes.

The All-Star Open is a high-pressure event because it is the final opportunity for many drivers to secure a spot on the main stage. A strong performance by van Gisbergen could put him in the running for his first NASCAR All-Star Race start.

The All-Star weekend at North Wilkesboro offers unique excitement with its special qualifying and event formats. Fans are eager to see how van Gisbergen and the other Open qualifiers will perform when the green flag waves.

The field includes seasoned Cup drivers and several rising stars, adding extra interest for NASCAR followers. As the event continues, all eyes will be on van Gisbergen to see if he can turn his pole position into a memorable race result at one of NASCAR’s most historic venues. For more details on the history of North Wilkesboro Speedway, check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame archives. Additionally, those interested in the technical aspects of pit stop strategies can explore SAE International’s motorsports engineering resources.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.