​Ross Chastain has secured a much-needed starting spot for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway. Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team will line up in fifth on the third row for Sunday’s Sonoma event, with Chastain the top Trackhouse driver in qualifying. Shane van Gisbergen qualified sixth, while Connor Zilisch will start 17th. This start is particularly important for Chastain given his points situation, as he enters Sonoma 22nd in the standings and 40 points below the Chase cutoff. He is likely to maximize Stage 1 points by waiting to pit until two laps remain, and while a win would greatly help, earning points could bolster his bid for a Chase spot. After a rough stretch for Trackhouse Racing on Saturdays, Chastain will take a top-five starting position at Sonoma.