Sonoma’s twist reshapes the playoff picture
The 19th race of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regular season roared to a close at Sonoma Raceway, a winding 1.99‑mile circuit in California that has become a pivotal waypoint for championship aspirations.
Brent Crews seized the race‑high 50 points, catapulting him several positions in the series standings and tightening the race for the final Chase spots.
With only five points races left in the regular season, the cutline for The Chase is now in sharp focus, as drivers jostle for those coveted positions.
Among the contenders, veterans such as Justin Allgaier and rising stars like Jesse Love and Corey Day are feeling the pressure, while drivers including Austin Hill, Carson Kvapil and Sam Mayer also loom as threats.
The competition remains razor‑thin; a single strong finish can swing a driver into or out of The Chase, making every remaining event a must‑watch for fans and teams alike.