NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma Raceway Preview and Predictions

Race Preview:

The Toyota Save Mart 350 is a 350-mile, 110-lap race around the 12-turn, 1.99-mile track in Sonoma, California. Stage cautions will fall on laps 25 and 55, and the checkered flag on 110. The prize purse for this race is 11,055,250 dollars. Teams will have five sets of Goodyear tires for the race, four fresh tires, and one set from qualifying. These are the same tires used in Chicago and Mexico City.

In case of weather, Goodyear is bringing the wet-weather tires. If teams have to use them, they will have 4 fresh sets and 1 from qualifying.

The Track-Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma Raceway is a 1.99-mile road course nestled in the heart of California’s wine country, Sonoma. With its 12 turns and beautiful views, this road course has hosted some of NASCAR’s best road racers taking the checkered flag. With uphill corners and dynamic braking zones, it has showcased NASCAR’s best.

The NASCAR Cup Series has raced at Sonoma Raceway 35 times in the past. Ricky Rudd won the first race in 1989. Jeff Gordon has the most wins at the track, with five wins. Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch are tied for wins amongst active drivers, both with two. Larson set the lap record last year, running a 1:13.629-second lap.

Cup Series Point Standings:

Here are the point standings following the previous race at the Chicago Street Course:

1. William Byron: 632
2. Chase Elliott: 619
3. Kyle Larson: 613
4. Denny Hamlin: 589
5. Tyler Reddick: 584
6. Christopher Bell: 565
7. Ryan Blaney: 539
8. Ross Chastain: 490
9. Chase Briscoe: 482
10. Alex Bowman: 480

Drivers To Watch:

Only one driver is joining the field for this race, Katherine Legge. She will again pilot the #78 Chevy for Live-Fast Motorsports, after a solid 19th-place finish at Chicago.

Everyone is expecting Shane Van Gisbergen to win this weekend and make it two in a row, and third this season. While I do not doubt SVG, another sportsbook has his odds at +130, I would not doubt out some of his Chevy teammates. I believe we could see the return of Kyle Larson this weekend. Defending race winner and Californian himself. I am calling it now, Larson can win this weekend.

Another Cali guy, Tyler Reddick, finished 3rd last week in Chicago. I think this is the year he turns it around. Reddick has great starting spots, 4.75, but his finishing position does not match that. I think with the momentum from Chicago, he can turn that around. Reddick is the Toyota contender.

For the Fords, you cannot deny the talent of Chris Buescher at Sonoma. RFK shared this post on X, outlining his stats. I think they speak for themselves. Buescher is my pick for Ford at Sonoma.

How To Watch The Cup Series at Sonoma:

Here is the weekend schedule for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma:

Saturday, July 11th:

• Practice
  • 1:30 PM Eastern
  • Coverage is on TruTV and HBO Max, Radio coverage is on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio provided by PRN
• Qualifying
  • 2:40 PM Eastern
  • Coverage continues on TruTV and HBO Max, radio coverage continues on SiriusXM

Sunday, July 12th:

• The Toyota Save Mart 350:
  • 3:30 PM Eastern
  • Coverage is on TNT Sports and HBO Max. Radio coverage on SiriusXM

Stay connected with Last Word on Motorsports for all the updates from Sonoma Raceway and the NASCAR Cup Series