Richard Childress Racing has carved a distinctive mark at Sonoma Raceway, where the team boasts two victories and a string of strong finishes across the NASCAR Cup Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
A Storied Track
The track’s history with RCR stretches back to 1995, when the late Dale Earnhardt captured the inaugural win for the organization, and later saw Robby Gordon add his own triumph in 2003; collectively the team has led 158 laps and completed nearly all of the laps offered at the 1.99‑mile circuit.
This year the venue becomes the launchpad for the 2026 In‑Season Challenge, a single‑elimination tournament that will begin with a bracket showdown at Sonoma, setting the tone for the remainder of the season.
Austin Dillon, paired against Ty Gibbs in the opening round, brings a modest Cup record at the California track — 11 starts with a best finish of eleventh — but also serves as general manager of the Carolina Cowboys PBR team, adding a managerial dimension to his on‑track duties.
Austin Hill will make his first Cup Series start on the Sonoma road course, having previously earned a top‑five and two top‑tens in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on that layout, while Jesse Love, a native of Menlo Park, prepares for a California homecoming, having contested two O’Reilly starts at the venue.
Behind the drivers, partners such as Chevrolet, Bass Pro Shops, Winchester and Whelen Engineering provide the infrastructure that fuels the program, with Whelen’s Everyday Champion initiative honoring first responders and community members.
The convergence of historic performance, emerging talent and corporate support creates a narrative that promises competitive racing and compelling storylines as the tournament unfolds.