NASCAR Weekend Schedule and Preview: Sonoma Raceway Set for Three Days of Racing Action

NASCAR makes its only California appearance this season at Sonoma Raceway, located in the heart of Wine Country. The event kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying sessions alongside the General Tire 200 (ARCA Menards Series West), followed by Saturday’s Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 (NASCAR Xfinity Series). The weekend concludes Sunday afternoon with the Toyota/Save Mart 350 (NASCAR Cup Series), which also serves as Round 3 in the new In-Season Challenge, a special mid-season competition that will culminate in Indianapolis.

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 covers 110 laps around Sonoma’s 1.99-mile road course, totaling nearly 219 miles. The track features 12 turns and dramatic elevation changes, with nearly 160 feet of vertical variation from Turn 3a to Turn 10. Sonoma blends fast sweepers, tight hairpins, and technical sections, including the infamous “Chute,” which challenges drivers with sudden transitions. Turn 11, especially after a recent retaining wall enhancement, has become a high-risk, high-reward braking zone that often produces late-race drama.

Sonoma stands apart on the NASCAR schedule due to its technical layout and the strategic thinking it demands. Drivers must navigate braking zones, shifting techniques, and tire management through the constantly changing terrain. Fuel strategy is a constant consideration—teams are forced to decide between pitting early for clean air or waiting for a potential caution that may never come. The race is split into three stages (25, 55, and 110 laps), but stage breaks on road courses don’t always trigger caution flags, adding another layer of uncertainty to pit stop timing.

Among the top drivers to watch this weekend are Shane Van Gisbergen, who enters having won a road course and street race already this year.. Local favorite Kyle Larson, a California native, has consistently performed well at Sonoma thanks to his familiarity with the track’s unique rhythm and elevation shifts. Other major Cup contenders, including Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron, are also looking to capitalize on the challenges and opportunities this road course presents.

For fans, the action begins early Friday with hauler parades, ARCA racing, and practice sessions. Saturday ramps up with Xfinity Series competition and Cup Series qualifying, while Sunday’s main event—the Toyota/Save Mart 350—gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET. With multiple ticket packages available, including options for garage and pit road access, this weekend at Sonoma promises high-speed excitement and a true celebration of NASCAR’s only road course race in California this season.

Sonoma NASCAR Weekend Schedule

Friday July 11

2:40 pm ARCA Menards Series West Practice
3:10 pm ARCA Menards Series West Qualifying
4:00 pm NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice, Streaming: CW App
5:10 pm NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying, Streaming: CW App
6:30 pm ARCA Menards Series West General Tire 200, Streaming: FloRacing; Radio: SiriusXM Winner: William Sawalich, Results

Saturday July 12

1:35 pm NASCAR Cup Series Practice, TV/Streaming: TruTV; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM
2:40 pm NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying, TV/Streaming: TruTV; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM Pole: Shane Van Gisbergen, Starting Lineup
4:30 pm NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250, TV/Streaming: CW; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM Winner: Conor Zilisch, Results

Sunday July 13

3:30 pm NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350, TV/Streaming: TNT Sports, MAX; Radio: PRN, SiriusXM

Previous Winners

Cup Series: Kyle Larson (2024), other winners in the field include Daniel Suarez and Kyle Busch
Xfinity Series: Shane Van Gisbergen (2024), Aric Almirola (2023)
ARCA Menards Series West: Sam Mayer (2024), Other winners: Ryan Preece (2023), Jake Drew (2022) and Chase Briscoe (2021)