Updated September 21, 2026
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to California wine country on June 28 for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. As the first event in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge and the second consecutive road-course race on the schedule, Sonoma is a fascinating point in the season. Drivers and teams are beginning to separate themselves in the championship race, while road-course specialists have one of their best opportunities of the year to secure a victory. With only four road-course races on the 2026 schedule, every one of these events is important.
Sonoma has traditionally rewarded drivers who combine patience, braking precision, and long-run speed. The 1.99-mile circuit features 10 turns, significant elevation changes, and multiple passing zones that often create strategic battles. Below, you will find my prediction for this race, as there is one clear driver to beat in wine country.
There are races where betting value is more important than backing the favorite. Sonoma does not appear to be one of those situations. Van Gisbergen enters the weekend as the driver everyone must beat. He is the defending Sonoma winner and has established himself as the premier road-course racer in the Cup Series. His record on road and street circuits over the past two seasons has been exceptional, and his ability to manage tire wear while attacking corner entry points remains unmatched.
Even though his San Diego race ended with a disappointing DNF, his speed was undeniable. He captured the pole position and entered the event as a massive favorite because of his road-course record. Sonoma is a more familiar challenge, and that should further increase his advantage.
The primary threats to SVG appear to be Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, Connor Zilisch, and Chase Elliott. Larson's versatility makes him dangerous at any venue, while Reddick's smooth driving style fits road courses extremely well. Buescher has quietly become one of the strongest road racers in the garage, and McDowell consistently extracts speed from these technical layouts. Elliott remains a proven road-course winner, but his recent performances on this track type have lacked the dominance that once defined him.
Unless qualifying dramatically alters the landscape, van Gisbergen deserves favorite status. His combination of raw pace, racecraft, and road-course experience gives him the highest probability of reaching Victory Lane.
Odds continue to adjust throughout race week, but here are the odds to win this race as of June 23 at DraftKings Sportsbook:
From a value perspective, Buescher and McDowell stand out. Both drivers possess road-course credentials that compare favorably with several competitors carrying shorter prices.
Sonoma is Race 18 of the NASCAR Cup Series season and opens the 2026 In-Season Challenge. The race follows the inaugural San Diego street race and keeps teams in California for a second consecutive week of road-course competition.
One of the biggest storylines centers on whether anyone can consistently challenge van Gisbergen on this style of track. Road-course opportunities are limited in 2026, making Sonoma one of the best chances for specialists to collect a victory before the playoffs begin.
Larson will attract significant attention from bettors thanks to his ability to dominate virtually any circuit. Reddick enters with a strong road-course record, while Buescher and McDowell continue to provide value in matchup and finishing-position markets.
Championship contenders also face an important test. A poor finish at Sonoma can erase valuable points during a season where consistency is becoming increasingly important. Crew chiefs will need to balance stage strategy with overall race position, particularly if cautions create alternate pit sequences.
Track position remains important, but Sonoma has historically allowed faster cars to work through traffic. That makes practice and qualifying significant factors for bettors evaluating outright winners and finishing-position wagers.
Sonoma Raceway is one of the most technical venues on the NASCAR schedule. Drivers face heavy braking zones, blind corners, elevation changes, and limited opportunities to recover from mistakes. The circuit rewards discipline and precision far more than outright aggression.
When the checkered flag falls Sunday evening, the safest outcome is the same one bettors have seen repeatedly on road courses. Shane van Gisbergen enters as the most complete driver in the field for this style of racing. With proven Sonoma success and unmatched road-course credentials, he deserves the top spot on the board and remains the strongest choice to win the Toyota/Save Mart 350.