Toyota / Save Mart 350 2026

The history of Sonoma Raceway begins in 1968, when the track was built in the southern Sonoma Mountains, near the famous Napa Valley, in remarkably short construction time. Shortly after completion, an SCCA endurance race took place there, laying the foundation for the facility’s long motorsport tradition. Under its original name Sears Point Raceway, the track quickly established itself as a fixture in American motorsport, including as the longtime home of the Trans Am Championship, which was held here 24 times between 1969 and 2004.

Over the decades, the facility changed its name several times, from Sears Point to Infineon Raceway to its current name Sonoma Raceway, reflecting changing sponsorship and ownership situations. Despite these rebranding efforts, the character of the track remained largely intact, and in 2019 the facility celebrated its 50th anniversary with a return to its original layout, a testament to the strong connection between tradition and evolution that defines the venue to this day.

The track itself is considered one of the most demanding circuit layouts on the entire NASCAR calendar. With 10 turns and the greatest elevation change of any NASCAR road course, Sonoma demands the highest precision from drivers. Blind corners, steep climbs, and technically challenging sections like The Chute and The Esses make every lap a challenge, while the infamous Calamity Corner repeatedly becomes the scene of dramatic position battles in the closing stages of races.

At 3.20 kilometers in length, Sonoma has been writing motorsport history for decades, and the recent past has provided remarkable moments. Kyle Larson set the current track record in 2024 with a lap time of 1:13.629, underscoring his reputation as one of the most versatile drivers of the present day. In 2025, Shane van Gisbergen claimed victory in the Toyota / Save Mart 350 and once again confirmed the special appeal that road course specialists feel for this race.

For the 2026 edition, the NASCAR Cup Series thus faces a track that demands technical skill, courage, and tactical acumen in equal measure. The combination of historic legacy and sporting unpredictability makes the Toyota / Save Mart 350 in Sonoma one of the most exciting events on the schedule year after year.