This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series will roll into Sonoma Raceway for the 37th time, marking the third straight year the series has returned to the 1.99‑mile road course in Northern California. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 is slated for Sunday, June 28 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, promising another chapter in a saga that began in 1989.
The venue has been a staple on the schedule every season except 2020, when the pandemic forced a hiatus. Over the decades the track has witnessed a parade of champions, beginning with Ricky Rudd’s inaugural victory and later featuring Ernie Irvan’s back‑to‑back triumphs in 1992 and 1994.
A Legacy of Champions
Jeff Gordon stands as the all‑time leader with five checkered flags at Sonoma, his wins spanning 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2006. The list of multiple‑time winners also includes Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin and, more recently, Shane Van Gisbergen, who captured the most recent edition.
Overall, 22 drivers have tasted victory on the Sonoma layout, eight of them more than once. Among the names that will be watching closely are Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Daniel Suarez and the veteran Tony Stewart, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the track’s lore.
Beyond the statistics, the race serves as a showcase for the sport’s evolving narrative, blending legacy drivers with emerging talent. As the green flag drops, fans can expect a blend of strategy, speed and the occasional surprise that has become synonymous with Sonoma.