Sonoma 101: Story lines, qualifying format, history and more

NASCAR Cup Series returns to California’s scenic wine country for its annual stop at Sonoma Raceway.

Sonoma is a staple on the Cup schedule since 1989. The Chute track configuration is new for this weekend's race. Teams will be separated into two groups and allowed 20 minutes of practice per group on Saturday. Qualifying will feature one 15-minute timed session per groups.

Sonoma Raceway was built on 800 acres in 1968. It was a working farm called Sears Point Farm in the early 1900s. In 1969, the track was bought by Filmways Corp. of Los Angeles. Bruton Smith and Speedway Motorsports bought the race track in 1996. The Chute was introduced in 1998, shortening the course to 10 turns at 1.99 miles.

Goodyear will run one tire for the NASCAR Cup cars at Sonoma with two different tire codes. The tires are designed to handle the different braking and acceleration forces. The tire's tread splice is particularly stressed. Goodyear uses a directional mounting to protect the beveled splices of the tread.

Kyle Larson won three road course races in 2021. Christopher Bell has finished inside the top 10 in the last five races. Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. have won the past four Sonoma races, but both are winless in 2022. The pass for the win came in final 10 laps in 12 of the 15 races of 2022, including the final two laps of last two races at Sonomas.

Chase Elliott is the favorite for Sunday's Sonoma race. AJ Allmendinger is also a good bet. Elliott has yet to win at Sonom. All mending won the Xfinity Series race at Portland last week. He also drove Kaulig to victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last summer.

The 2022 Fantasy Live points leaders are Chase Elliott (501), Kyle Busch (491), and Ross Chastain (479).

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