The NASCAR season is set to culminate with its final road‑course event, a race that has become a focal point for teams and fans alike.
According to NASCAR Insights, Shane van Gisbergen is regarded as the fastest driver on road courses, having posted the quickest lap in nine of his 15 road‑course starts.
Michael McDowell leads the series with a 4.0 average finish at Sonoma in the Next Gen car, a track where he has consistently run just off the lead.
The Contenders
Chase Elliott holds the best average finish at Sonoma among active drivers who have multiple starts, positioning him as a key competitor.
Drivers to watch out for include Bubba Wallace, whose best Sonoma finish is 14th in seven attempts with an average of 24.0, and Denny Hamlin, who has finished 20th or worse in all four Next Gen starts at the track.
On the other hand, several sleepers could surprise, such as AJ Allmendinger, who has finished sixth in two of the last three Sonoma races, and Ryan Preece, whose best effort is 12th in five starts with an 18.6 average finish.
Daniel Suárez has a single top‑10 finish in eight Sonoma outings, while Todd Gilliland boasts five top‑10 results from 26 road‑course starts.
Chase Briscoe was the runner‑up to van Gisbergen at Sonoma last year, and the No. 71 car has shown strong road‑course form, finishing second to van Gisbergen at Watkins Glen.
The upcoming first‑round matchups in the 2026 In‑Season Challenge add another layer of strategy, and the author’s lineup picks highlight McDowell’s strong performance as a centerpiece.