The NASCAR Cup Series makes its long‑awaited return to Sonoma Raceway this weekend, kicking off a high‑profile broadcast window that will be carried by TNT Sports and its sister network truTV.
Pole Position and Early Favorites
Ty Gibbs will start from the pole, leveraging his strong road‑course résumé, while Shane van Gisbergen, the reigning road‑course standout, enters as the odds‑on favorite. Both drivers are expected to battle hard over the 110‑lap, 218.9‑mile event.
The race, scheduled to drop the green flag at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 28, will be preceded by pre‑race coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the live action on TNT and truTV, with a simultaneous stream available on HBO Max.
A Million‑Dollar Bracket
Beyond the trophy, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 is the centerpiece of the $1 million In‑Season Challenge, a bracket‑style competition that pits teams against one another for a substantial cash prize. The stakes have only heightened the anticipation among drivers and sponsors alike.
Honoring Kyle Busch
The weekend will also serve as a tribute to the late Kyle Busch. His iconic number will grace the track surface, and a Wall of Fame induction will celebrate his contributions to the sport, adding an emotional layer to the on‑track action.
Teams such as Trackhouse Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing, backed by partners Toyota and Chevrolet, are expected to field strong lineups. The roster includes Tyler Reddick, AJ Allmendinger, who is marking his 500th Cup start, Daniel Suarez, Connor Zilisch, Christopher Bell, and others.
With a deep field of competitors and the added narrative of Busch’s remembrance, the Sonoma event promises to be a defining moment in the early season, setting the tone for the battles that lie ahead.