WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — A year ago at Watkins Glen, Ryan Blaney didn't complete a lap. Sunday, he could lead the opening lap after winning the pole at the 2.45-mile road course.

Ryan Blaney was the only driver able to go faster than Shane van Gisbergen in NASCAR Cup qualifying at Watkins Glen, besting the road course ace for pole by just 0.033s. It was the 150th Cup pole for Team Penske.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season continues with the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen on Sunday. See the starting lineup here for tomorrow's race.

Ryan Blaney bested Shane van Gisbergen in NASCAR Cup Series road course qualifying by three hundredths of a second, capturing the pole position at Watkins Glen International.

Okay, NASCAR fans, let’s talk about something unexpected, shall we? Ryan Blaney snagged the pole position at Watkins Glen. It was an impressive sight to behold because Blaney is a driver in the Cup Series who is known for his superspeedway skills rather than road course skills.

The NASCAR Cup Series will move to return to its premier destination this weekend. After some fun in Virginia at Richmond Raceway, Daytona International Speedway will close the regular season out with a bang.

WATKINS GLEN — Ryan Blaney will start first in Sunday's Go Bowling at The Glen. After road course ace Shane van Gisbergen showed up once again during the first of two stages in Saturday afternoon's NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Watkins Glen International, Blaney was the best from group two as he surpassed van Gisbergen for the best time overall.

Ryan Blaney is introduced before a NASCAR Cup Series Championship auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) by: JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

Ryan Blaney earned the pole position for tomorrow's NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International in the No. 12 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang Dark Horse. His time of 71.96 seconds (122.568 mph) was good for his first pole position at Watkins Glen,

Ryan Blaney wasn't the only Team Penske driver to shine in Saturday's Cook Out 400. Austin Cindric's composed run led him to a fifth-place finish. He kept his No. 2 Ford in the top 10 throughout the race and jumped a spot to 15th in the standings.