A Rocky Start at Sonoma
The NASCAR Cup Series rolled into Sonoma Raceway for its annual West Coast showdown, and Kaulig Racing’s lineup of AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon entered the event with optimism after solid qualifying performances.
Allmendinger, who started near the front, quickly fell victim to a combination of tire degradation and a brief brush with another competitor, forcing him to fight his way back through the field before ultimately finishing 16th.
Dillon’s race unraveled early when a power‑steering failure stripped him of responsiveness, dropping him to the rear despite an initial lead over veteran Denny Hamlin; he never recovered and crossed the line in 35th place.
Next Up: Chicagoland
The duo’s setbacks were compounded by the broader In‑Season Challenge narrative, as Chase Briscoe’s second‑place finish nudged Allmendinger out of the points‑paying bracket, underscoring the fine margins that define the series.
Looking ahead, the tour will head east to Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, where the series hopes to reset after a turbulent weekend and capture fresh momentum on a track that rewards both speed and strategy.