the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma on June 24, 2012
Photo – Getty Images

NASCAR will be twisting and turning into beautiful wine country in Sonoma this weekend for some road racing, which always happens to feature some road rage. Drivers are amped up for these races and they know that to win, they need to have a perfect day. Any driver can have that perfect race and last year’s winner, Clint Bowyer, is the perfect example. The Kansas Boy pulled off the win because he and his crew were flawless all race long. This year’s race will be another special one that fans won’t want to miss.

The Toyota Save Mart 350 is on for Sunday, June 23, 2013 and the green flag will wave around 3:19 PM EST (12:19 PM PT). Drivers will be beating and banging around the ten turn course for 218.9 miles and 110 laps. Sonoma’s weather is usually flawless, but this weekend there is a 30% chance of showers on Sunday with a high of 75 F. Fans can watch the race on TNT or listen on PRN.

Clint Bowyer was victorious last time the Sprint Cup Series was at Sonoma after he held the lead on a late restart. Bowyer is typically not thought of as a road course racer before the victory, but now no one will want to count him out. He’ll surprise at just about anything, so can he pull off his second straight Sonoma victory this weekend?

Michigan was a weekend to forget for Hendrick Motorsports, but they’ll look to rebound this weekend and likely will, with Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon’s road racing talent. Never count Johnson out of the mix, due to his great performances this season. The guys chasing him are hoping they won’t have to contend with him this weekend so they can make up some ground on the points leader.

Road course ringers are scattered through the field this weekend and they’ll look to shake-up the Cup regulars’ party. The ringers in the field include Justin Marks, Alex Kennedy (Cup debut), Boris Said, Ron Fellows, Victor Gonzalez Jr. (Cup Debut), Jacques Villeneuve, Paulie Harrake (Cup Debut), and Tomy Drissi.

Some of the best racing in NASCAR occurs on road courses. Sonoma never fails to disappoint with constant battles happening all over the track. In past years, this track has proven to be anyone’s game and not just road course specialists’. Clint Bowyer won here so anyone else can do the same. The usual players will be strong and the new faces entered this weekend will be around to shake-up the field. It’ll be wild, exciting, and interesting to see who can emerge victorious on the left and right turns of Sonoma.

Track Schedule

1:00-1:45 PM PT (4:00-4:45 PM EST) (Friday) Sprint Cup Series Practice, televised on SPEED

3:30-5:00 PM PT (6:30-8:00 PM EST) (Friday) Sprint Cup Series Final Practice, televised on SPEED

11:00 AM PT (2:00 PM EST) (Saturday) Sprint Cup Series Qualifying, televised on SPEED

12:00 PM PT (3:00 PM EST) (Sunday) Sprint Cup Series’ Race, the Toyota/ Save Mart 350, televised on TNT

Next Race– Quaker State 400 at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, KY

Entry List via Jayski.com