NASCAR Cup - Sonoma

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 returns to Sonoma Raceway in California for another NASCAR Cup Series road course race. This race takes place on the technical 1.99-mile circuit that has challenged drivers since NASCAR first visited the venue. Sonoma Raceway sits about an hour north of San Francisco in California's wine country and hosts the only NASCAR Cup Series race in Northern California.

Race Format and Distance

The NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma covers 218.9 miles over 110 laps. The race divides into three stages. Stage 1 runs 25 laps, Stage 2 continues for 35 laps, and the final stage completes the remaining 50 laps. TNT Sports will broadcast the race for fans watching from home.

The Circuit at Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma Raceway features 12 turns on its NASCAR layout. The track surface is asphalt, and the circuit includes more than 160 feet of elevation change throughout the lap. This road course ranks among the most technical tracks in NASCAR competition. Drivers face blind corners, off-camber turns, and a challenging hairpin.

The Chute

The circuit includes an 890-foot high-speed section called "The Chute" that connects Turn 4 to Turn 7. NASCAR uses this configuration for its events at Sonoma. The track complex covers approximately 1,600 acres and can seat around 44,000 spectators.

Race Weekend Schedule

The weekend includes multiple racing series. The ARCA Menards Series West runs the General Tire 150 on Friday. Saturday features the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race serves as the weekend's main event on Sunday.

The In-Season Challenge

Sonoma Raceway hosts the second annual NASCAR "In-Season Challenge" during this race weekend. This competition offers a $1 million bonus through a five-race, bracket-style tournament format that adds another competitive element to the weekend.

Track History and Background

Sonoma Raceway opened in March 1969 with both a dragstrip and road course. The facility has operated under several names, including Sears Point International Raceway, Sears Point Raceway, and Infineon Raceway. Speedway Motorsports, LLC has owned the property since November 1996. Ricky Rudd won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the track in 1989.

Track Configurations

The facility offers multiple layouts beyond the NASCAR configuration. A 2.52-mile road course provides another option, and the venue includes a quarter-mile drag strip with an uphill gradient. This versatility allows Sonoma Raceway to host various types of motorsports events throughout the year.

Road Course Racing at Sonoma

Road course racing at Sonoma differs significantly from NASCAR's oval track events. The technical nature of the circuit rewards precision driving and strategic tire management. Drivers must navigate elevation changes and complex corner sequences that test both car setup and driver skill. The track occasionally attracts "road course ringers"—drivers from other road racing series who compete in the NASCAR Cup Series race due to their specialized skills on this type of circuit.

Notable Race Statistics

Jeff Gordon holds the record with five wins at Sonoma Raceway in NASCAR Cup Series competition. Recent history shows competitive racing, with nine different drivers earning victories in the past 10 races at the track. Other winners at Sonoma include Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, and Kyle Busch.

Visiting Sonoma Raceway

The raceway is located near California State Route 37 and California State Route 121. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport sits 38 miles north of the facility for those traveling by air. The track offers camping options for race weekend visitors. Tickets are available through the Sonoma Raceway website, with special pricing for children 12 and under.

What Makes This Race Unique

The combination of technical corners, significant elevation changes, and the unique California setting distinguishes this NASCAR Cup Series race from others on the schedule. The road course format creates different racing dynamics compared to oval tracks. Strategy plays a crucial role as teams balance aggressive driving with tire preservation across the three-stage format. The scenic location in Sonoma wine country adds to the distinctive character of this race weekend.