The 2026 Toyota/Save Mart 350 roared to life at Sonoma Raceway, marking the first competitive outing of the new In‑Season Challenge. The event drew a full field of 35 drivers, each eager to stake an early claim in the championship.
Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealand‑born champion, seized control early, guiding the pack for 74 laps and never looking back. His strategic pit stops and relentless pace allowed him to pull ahead of the competition and maintain a lead that would prove decisive.
A Strategic Masterclass on the Vineyard‑Laced Circuit
When the checkered flag finally fell, van Gisbergen crossed the line just under a second ahead of Chase Briscoe, who settled for second place. Ty Gibbs rounded out the podium in third, but the real drama unfolded in the final corners where the margin was razor‑thin.
The race served as more than just a contest of speed; it was a showcase of the series’ expanding international talent pool. Van Gisbergen’s victory, coming on the back of a strong performance in the previous year’s road‑course events, signaled that the competition would be fiercely contested across diverse track types.
Fans and analysts alike noted the significance of the opening race for the championship narrative. With a diverse set of drivers, including rising stars like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney, the stage was set for a season that promises both surprises and high‑stakes battles.