Shane van Gisbergen enters the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway as the oddsmakers' favorite, but his recent crash in San Diego has left him hungry for a rebound. The 2026 In‑Season Challenge begins this weekend, introducing a new points twist that could reshape the playoff picture and add extra stakes for every driver on the grid.
NASCAR analysts Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi have weighed in, dissecting the strategies that could turn the Sonoma road course into a stage for unexpected upsets.
In the Cup Series standings, Tyler Reddick holds a narrow eight‑point edge over veteran Denny Hamlin, and a strong finish at Sonoma could swing the momentum in his favor.
Reddick’s quest for a Chase berth makes every stage valuable, while rookie sensations such as Carson Hocevar face a steep learning curve on the twisty layout.
Expert Outlook
Gluck and Bianchi predict that while van Gisbergen will be a front‑runner, the race could open up for drivers like Christopher Bell, AJ Allmendinger, or even Bubba Wallace to break through.
The competition also spotlights rising talent such as Zane Smith and Connor Zilisch, who are eager to prove themselves on a circuit that rewards both skill and strategy.
Veteran drivers often exploit Sonoma’s elevation changes and tight corners, using experience and patience to gain an edge over the younger field, and Chase Briscoe looks poised to challenge van Gisbergen after finishing second in this event last year.