Get ready, Rio Linda! NASCAR is rolling into Sonoma Raceway for a weekend of high-octane action, July 11-13. This year’s event is packed with milestones, challenges, and plenty of local flavor.
The Toyota/Save Mart 350: A Sonoma Tradition Continues
This year marks the 35th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR race. That’s a serious legacy! It makes this race one of the longest continuous entitlement sponsorships in NASCAR, right up there with classics like the Coca-Cola 600. Thirty-five years means a lot of thrilling races and memorable moments right here in our backyard.
Xfinity Series Roars onto the California Coast
For the third time ever, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be hitting the Sonoma Raceway road course. For years, the Xfinity Series mostly stuck to tracks east of the Mississippi, so adding Sonoma in 2023 was a big deal. It’s brought the series to a whole new fanbase on the California Coast and given rising stars a chance to show off their skills on the same challenging track where NASCAR’s top drivers compete.
Conquering Sonoma’s “Blind Turn”
Sonoma Raceway is a road course, meaning drivers face a whole different beast compared to traditional oval tracks. Many drivers, including Christopher Bell, will tell you that Turn 3A at Sonoma is the most blind turn in the entire NASCAR circuit! Drivers have to battle elevation changes before making a right turn right into the chute, all while trusting their instincts and experience. It’s a true test of skill!
A Mid-Summer Showdown
Get ready for some summer NASCAR! This year’s NASCAR weekend, scheduled for July 11-13, marks the latest in the season NASCAR has ever come to Sonoma. It’s more than a month later than the 2024 race, so prepare for some potentially hotter, more intense racing conditions!
The Coveted Champion’s Goblet & Local Flavor
The winner of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 won’t just get a trophy – they’ll hoist the iconic Champion’s Goblet. This unique award, crafted by a local glassblower, is one of a kind on the NASCAR circuit. And speaking of local, the red wine chosen for the celebration is from Senses Wines.
Senses Wines was founded in 2011 by Sonoma County natives and has quickly become a standout project from the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley. With grapes sourced from renowned vineyards and crafted by legendary winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, these wines are known for their complexity and beautiful balance. You can learn more about them at www.senseswines.com.
Kyle Larson Eyes a Third Sonoma Victory
Our very own hometown hero, Kyle Larson, is back at Sonoma as the defending champ and he’s got his sights set on his third win here. If he pulls it off, he’ll become the third-most winning driver all-time at Sonoma, behind NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon (5 wins) and Martin Truex Jr. (4 wins). Let’s cheer him on!
Three Road Courses in One Month!
Oval tracks have always been NASCAR’s bread and butter, but this year is shaking things up with three road courses in one month, and Sonoma is one of them! Cup Series drivers have already tackled the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City and are facing back-to-back road course races at the Chicago Street Race and now Sonoma Raceway. This increased variety of tracks so close together is sure to bring more excitement and even better racing!
Sonoma Plays Key Role in New In-Season Tournament
This year, Sonoma Raceway will be a crucial battleground in the new In-Season Challenge! The historic Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday, July 13, will be the third race of the tournament’s bracket stage, making it a critical turning point in the elimination format. Drivers will be navigating Sonoma’s unique challenges – elevation changes, tight turns, and strategic pit stops – all while fighting for their tournament survival. Get ready for some high stakes!
NASCAR Returns to TNT!
After a decade of being FOX’s season finale, this year marks the return of NASCAR’s Cup Series at Sonoma to TNT for the first time since 2014! Tune in to catch all the action.
Get Your Tickets Now!
Don’t miss out on this thrilling weekend! Tickets for the July 11-13 Sonoma Raceway NASCAR weekend are on sale now at SonomaRaceway.com or by calling (800) 870-RACE (7223). Three-day weekend packages for adults start at just $130, and kids 12 and under are only $10 – a fantastic deal for the whole family! You can also snag tickets for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the lowest available price at local Save Mart, Lucky California, or FoodMaxx stores. For more details, head to the Sonoma Raceway website.
Will you be heading to Sonoma Raceway this July to catch the action? Let us know in the comments!