Kyle Larson Claims Another Cup Pole At Sonoma

Kyle Larson claimed his fourth NASCAR Cup Series pole at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday and he will start first for the fifth straight race at Sonoma.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who is trying to defending his 2021 Sonoma win, posted a top speed of 92.111 mph around the road course.

Larson’s streak of Sonoma poles started in 2017. There wasn’t a Cup race at Sonoma in 2020. In 2021, qualifying wasn’t held, but Larson still started first due to NASCAR’s qualifying formula.

Larson had to hold on tight on his fast lap after he got sideways while navigating Turn 4 of “The Chute” section of the track.

“I was a bit surprised I ran the (77.776 second lap) because I felt I gave up a lot of time in Turn 4 and 7,” Larson told Fox Sports 1. “Had I had those two corners back, I feel I could have gone quite a bit faster.”

Larson was followed by his Hendrick teammate Chase Elliott (92.083 mph).

“For Chase to lay down the lap he did, that show how fast he is because he was really good in race trim too,” Larson said. “I think my car’s capable of racing good, I just need to get a little bit better on the long runs.”

This is Larson’s fourth pole in eight races at Sonoma Raceway – most among active drivers and second only to Jeff Gordon (five poles) for the most all-time in the series at Sonoma.

The last time a Cup driver started first in five consecutive races at a track was Denny Hamlin at Homestead-Miami Speedway (2017-2021).

The top five was completed by Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell and Tyler Reddick.

This is McDowell’s best start of the year. It’s only his third start inside the top 15.

Rounding out the top 10 is Cole Custer, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin.

Click here for the starting lineup.

Practice

Prior to qualifying practice was held, with the field being split into two groups for two 20-minute sessions.

Larson had the best overall speed at 90.424 mph.

He was followed by Elliott (90.195 mph), Chastain (90.125), Kyle Busch (90.092) and Suarez.

AJ Allmendinger, who was seventh overall, had the fastest speed in Group A at 89.898 mph.

The top three drivers – Elliott, Larson and Chastain – have combined to win six of the last seven road course races in Cup.