P1racenews AI automatic summary:
All eyes are on the Cup Series playoff field at Watkins Glen, but it’ll be the first driver outside that group that leads the field to green Sunday. Ross Chastain set a top time of 72.130s (122.279…
Ross Chastain secured his second Cup Series pole with a top time at Watkins Glen, leading the field to green for the race. Martin Truex Jr. was the quickest among playoff drivers, qualifying in second place. Playoff driver Shane van Gisbergen was in third, with Alex Bowman leading Hendrick Motorsports in fourth. Austin Cindric completed the top five in qualifying. Chase Briscoe narrowly missed advancing in the session but qualified 12th overall. Defending race winner William Byron will start 11th, with Chase Elliott in 14th, Ty Gibbs in 15th, and Kyle Larson starting 20th.
