Monday, July 14, 2025

NASCAR / ARCA Race Recap (Sonoma)

#NASCAR / #ARCA Race Recap (Sonoma)

Winners: Shane van Gisbergen (Cup); Connor Zilisch (Xfinity); plus William Sawalich (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 


NASCAR Cup

Shane van Gisbergen Dominates, Lands Back-to-Back Wins

Shane van Gisbergen Dominates at Sonoma, Lands Back-to-Back Wins

 

Shane van Gisbergen powered to his third victory of the NASCAR Cup Series season, surviving a flurry of late caution periods and turning in another dominant road-course performance Sunday afternoon at Sonoma Raceway

 

Van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet led 97 of the 110 laps in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 and secured a 1.128-second margin of victory at the checkered flag. His first win at the 1.99-mile California circuit was the fourth of his Cup Series career.

 

Van Gisbergen has now won three of the last five Cup Series races, including back-to-back victories after last weekend’s triumph in the Chicago Street Race. Sunday’s win ties him for the series lead this season with fellow three-time winners Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell.

 

“Awesome job, boys,” the No. 88 crew told SVG on the team radio after the checkers. “Awesome job. What a run we’re on.”

 

“We had an amazing car,” van Gisbergen said. “Chase Briscoe, what a great racer and gave me respect. Jumped the last (restart) a little bit, and it was pretty tense, but amazing. So stoked for Red Bull, Trackhouse, Chevy. I believe we had a really fun weekend here, some great races, and I hope everyone enjoyed that.”

 






Pole: Shane van Gisbergen



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway.


NASCAR Xfinity

Connor Zilisch Holds Off van Gisbergen for Epic Xfinity Win

Connor Zilisch Holds Off van Gisbergen for Epic Xfinity Win

 

In closing laps of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma Raceway, the pupil schooled the master.

 

Taking shot after shot from JR Motorsports teammate Shane van Gisbergen over the final two laps, Connor Zilisch held off the more experienced driver to claim his third NASCAR Xfinity Series victory of the season and the fourth of his career.

 

In what was a two-driver show from start to finish, Zilisch and van Gisbergen, the pole winner, combined to lead 70 of the 79 laps, surrendering the top spot only when they short-pitted the first and second stages to recover track position at the stage breaks.

 

“First, hats off to Shane,” Zilisch said after climbing from his car. “That was awesome. All race long, I felt like we were racing each other with respect. I wheel-hopped a little bit in Turn 7 one time and got into him. Otherwise, it was awesome to get to race against him finally and battle with him the whole race long.”

 

“It’s always the hardest trying to save fuel while someone’s breathing down your neck,” Zilisch said. “There was a chance that he could have gotten by me when he hit me, but he let me have it and raced me clean. I respect the hell out of him for that, and I’m looking forward to racing against him more.

 

“We’re going to race each other at Watkins Glen, and that’s one of my favorite tracks, so I hope I can beat him again there.”

 






Pole: Shane van Gisbergen



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, July 19,2025 at 4:30 pm ET for the BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway.




NASCAR Trucks

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Did Not Race








Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET for the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.




ARCA

William Sawalich Wins a Wine Country Thriller at Sonoma Raceway

William Sawalich Wins a Wine Country Thriller at Sonoma Raceway

 

For most of Friday’s General Tire 200 at Sonoma Raceway, William Sawalich re-established the dominant form he enjoyed during his time on the ARCA Menards Series platform.

 

A one-lap shootout forced Sawalich to dig in and fight for a trip to Victory Lane at the 1.990-mile road course. After Alon Day moved him off track in Turn 1, Sawalich regrouped and gave chase as Day battled Christian Eckes for the race lead.

 

The pursuit lasted until the final corner, when Day attempted to pass Eckes on the outside while Sawalich drove underneath both. Eckes refused to surrender the top spot to Sawalich, with the two exchanging contact multiple times as they hustled towards the checkered flag.

 

Sawalich prevailed over Eckes by only .066 seconds, earning the hardest wire-to-wire victory of his career.

 

“That was definitely our race, but it sucks it had to happen that way,” Sawalich said. “We did what we could to get our Starkey Camry in Victory Lane, so I’m glad that we’re here. It took me a while to figure out how to do a burnout. “

 






Pole: William Sawalich



Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA Series / ARCA Menards Series East will return on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET for the General Tire 150 at Dover Motor Speedway.



 

source: NASCAR Media

Saturday, July 12, 2025

The Action Continues With The Third Ever NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Day

The Action Continues With The Third Ever #NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Day
  • Saturday marks the third Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway, introducing a thrilling motorsports experience to fans.
  • The Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 is set to energize the track on Saturday afternoon, central to California's motorsports scene.
  • Tickets are available online or by phone, with kids 12 and under free on Saturday with a ticketed adult.

The Action Continues With The Third Ever NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Day

 

Saturday marks the 3rd ever Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway, making it just the beginning of an exciting new experience for fans. As the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 takes over the track this afternoon, fans will feel the energy that comes with being in the center of California's hub for motorsports.

 

In addition to the day's main event, fans can also stick around for the Camper Appreciation Party, hosted by THOR, where Tim Dugger will perform the post-race concert. There will also be activities and guest appearances, including Cup Series Driver Kyle Busch. Fans can enjoy complimentary beer and Coca-Cola while supplies last.

 





Fans who arrive early will not only avoid traffic, but they will also be among the first in line to attend the Farm to Finish Line event in the Turn 10 Midway. The event will celebrate California's agriculture as local farmers and ranchers showcase interactive displays throughout the day. Fans can sample fresh, local products and get merch signed during the Xfinity Series Drivers Autograph Session during the event.

 

 

source: Sonoma Raceway Media

Friday, July 11, 2025

ARCA Menards Series West Entry List

Today’s ARCA Menards Series West Field is limited to 32 starters plus provisionals at Sonoma Raceway. Driver’s starting positions will be set by each car’s fastest recorded lap in Timed Session Qualifying.  With only 26 drivers on the entry list; no one will have to go home. 
#ARCA Menards Series West

 

 




ARCA Menards Series West Entry List




RACE PIT STOP: Modified live pitting procedure, with the following two exceptions: Fuel may not be added prior to the completion of lap 20; Tire changes for emergency use only, any change must be approved by ARCA. There will be a Scheduled Caution at or near lap 32.





 

source: NASCAR Media



 

source: ARCA Media