A Tournament‑Style Showdown Begins at Sonoma
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season opens its mid‑season showcase with the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, kicking off a five‑race In‑Season Challenge that pits 32 drivers against each other for a $1 million prize.
The Sonoma road course, a 12‑turn, 1.99‑mile layout that winds through elevation changes, tight corners and heavy braking zones, has long been a favorite of road‑course specialists and has produced surprise winners in past years.
This year’s field includes reigning road‑course standouts such as Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick, while veteran Jeff Gordon, who retired from full‑time competition, remains a reference point for success on the track.
Ty Gibbs will start from pole position alongside Carson Hocevar, but Larson, a local favorite, is slated to line up third, adding extra excitement for fans in the Bay Area.
The tournament format requires drivers to advance through head‑to‑head matchups in each of the next five races, with the highest‑finishing competitor in each pairing moving forward until a single champion is crowned with the million‑dollar prize.
Where to Watch
TNT and truTV will split the national feed, while DIRECTV will carry the race and provide live streaming for viewers who prefer digital access, ensuring that fans across the country can follow the action live.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, with a 3:30 p.m. Eastern start time, promising a blend of technical racing and late‑race drama that could reshape the championship picture.