Van Gisbergen sends dire warning to rivals ahead of Sonoma double

Shane van Gisbergen has opened up on Friday's running at Sonoma, as he looks to sweep the Cup and Xfinity Series races for the second weekend in a row.

The Kiwi was dominant in Chicago last weekend, taking both race wins from pole, and is the overwhelming betting favorite to continue that run this weekend.

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He has raced once at Sonoma in a NASCAR series, taking the win in the Xfinity Series last year for what was, at the time, also his second race win in as many weeks.

If Van Gisbergen is able to secure the win in the Cup Series on Sunday, he'll become the season's joint-leader in race wins and put himself into a great place to earn his way into the Round of 12 on playoff points.

From there, he'll be favorite to win his way into the Round of 8 at the Charlotte Roval, leaving at least an outside chance of one of the most stunning Championship 4 berths in playoff history.

Van Gisbergen confident ahead of key Sonoma race

SVG was in calm form after Friday qualifying, saying in a post-session interview: "Race runs were okay, but qualifying, to be front row for our team...thank you to JR Motorsports, car's really really good.

"I was having fun out there. Awesome to have my friends from Australia Quad Lock back on the car, and I look forward to the race tomorrow."

He also filmed a short message for JR Motorsports, in which he added: "First day at Sonoma was great. 1-2 for the team, Connor [Zilisch] was second, and our cars are really good. It took me a bit to get used to it, little bit different from what I had here last year. We're off to a great start."

JR Motorsports have five drivers starting in the top 10 on Saturday, with Van Gisbergen and Zilisch locking out the front row ahead of Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil and Justin Allgaier in sixth, seventh and tenth respectively.

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