SVG to start Martinsville decider from mid-pack

The Trackhouse Racing driver qualified 22nd for Monday’s 500-lapper at the famous concrete bullring, which will decide who the remaining Championship 4 drivers will be.

SVG clocked a 19.462s to end up 0.176s behind pole position winner William Byron in the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

Byron will line up alongside the #54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry of Ty Gibbs.

Heading to Martinsville, Byron is below the cut-off line in fifth with Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott behind him in sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively.

All four drivers are effectively in a must-win situation with Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson at +37 and +36 points above the cut-off line.

“It’s great. It’s not the race though,” said Byron of his pole position lap.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow. Felt good in practice and felt decent there in qualifying.

“It’s so cold, it took a while for the tyres to come in. It feels nice. First pole at Martinsville is always good. We usually struggle to qualify well here.

“Just excited for tomorrow. It’s a big challenge and that’s what counts. After 500 laps, we’ll see how we are.

“It’s going to be similar conditions [tomorrow] to what it is now,” he added.

“It’s going to be really chilly and the track is going to change a bunch, so we’ve just got to do a good job communicating, talking through it, and making the right adjustments inside the car.”

Van Gisbergen was the second-best Trackhouse Racing driver, behind 13th-placed Ross Chastain in the #1 and ahead of 30th-placed Daniel Suarez in the #99 car.

Ahead of the weekend, SVG commented on the skills needed to master Martinsville.

“It’s still difficult but there is more downshift and a bit more technique with braking, and how you can use your tools and how you get the car into the corners,” he explained.

“I am able to influence it (the car) a little more as a driver, unlike, the big ovals.

“You still see the regular oval drivers that are amazing at Martinsville. It’s a tough track. I got a decent result there last year, 12th, with some strategy.

“It’s a crazy race, I really enjoy racing there.”

The NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway gets underway at 5am AEDT on Monday, with coverage live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.

Results: NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 Qualifying, Martinsville Speedway