For the second straight season, Jake Garcia is sitting on the bubble. With five races left in the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series regular season, Garcia is five points above Grant Enfinger for the final spot in the Chase. The ThorSport Racing driver has several competitors close to him on points below the cut line.

ThorSport Racing has struggled to have significant speed during the 2026 Truck Series season, but Garcia still has himself in a Chase spot. There hasn't been race-winning speed, but the consistency has been enough for the driver of the No. 98 truck to keep himself in contention.

Garcia will have a very intense bubble battle over the next five NASCAR weekends in the Truck Series. There are several spots up for grabs in the Chase, and the cut-line is very close. If Garcia wants to make the Chase, he must find a way to execute for more points in the next five events.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Jake Garcia sits on Chase bubble with 5 races left in regular season

Kaden Honeycutt firmly sits second in the NASCAR Truck Series point standings. Honeycutt is 65 points behind the leader, Layne Riggs, and 63 points above Chandler Smith, who sits in second place. This comes after the TRICON Garage driver lost significant ground to Riggs at San Diego last weekend.

Honeycutt only has one win in the No. 11 truck for TRICON Garage, while Riggs has entered victory lane four times. While second place isn't a bad position to be entering the Chase, the driver of the No. 11 truck hopes to have an increase in results over the next five NASCAR weekends.

There will be plenty of optimism that Honeycutt can compete for the 2026 Truck Series championship, as he continues to be one of the best drivers at the NASCAR level. If Honeycutt finds another gear, he could track down Riggs for the regular season championship over the next two months.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Kaden Honeycutt sits firmly in second during 2026 Truck regular season

Layne Riggs is quickly pulling away with the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series regular season championship. After winning the Truck Series race at San Diego, Riggs has a 65-point lead in the standings over Kaden Honeycutt. This comes after the Front Row Motorsports driver won his fourth race of the 2026 season.

In fact, Riggs has won three of the last four races, continuing his reign as the best driver in the Truck Series. The driver of the No. 34 truck has been very strong throughout the 2026 NASCAR season and should be one of the championship favorites. It might even result in a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series.

Riggs has no signs of slowing down as the Truck Series heads to Lime Rock Park soon. The Front Row Motorsports driver has a decent-sized lead over Honeycutt, but it is not set in stone yet. However, another victory by Riggs could put his points situation in an even better spot.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Layne Riggs expanding points lead in 2026 Truck Series regular season

Guy Fieri is coming to NASCAR. On Thursday, Legacy Motor Club announced that Fieri has joined the NASCAR organization as a strategic owner. The Emmy Award-winning television host, restaurateur, and entrepreneur is one of the most recognizable personalities in American food culture.

Known for building a global brand rooted in food, energy, and authenticity, Fieri brings a perspective that complements LEGACY MOTOR CLUB's evolution into a modern motorsports organization that resonates far beyond the track.

Fieri’s involvement will extend beyond ownership, with plans for collaborative content, fan engagement initiatives, and licensed merchandise that brings together racing, food, and lifestyle culture. Additional details on upcoming activations and collaborative initiatives will be announced throughout the season.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Guy Fieri joins Legacy Motor Club ownership group in 2026

23XI Racing is one of the most improved teams in the NASCAR Cup Series garage. Tyler Reddick signed a long-term contract extension, while Corey Heim will become a full-time driver in 2027. Heim will replace Riley Herbst in the No. 35 car; however, will Bubba Wallace continue driving for 23XI Racing?

Despite Wallace's fall in the point standings, Motorsports Wire is predicting that he will return to the No. 23 car in 2027, rounding out 23XI Racing's driver lineup. The driver of the No. 23 car is the only true question mark for 23XI Racing, but it is only because he isn't locked into the 2027 NASCAR season yet.

No more changes should be expected. 23XI Racing figures to have Wallace, Heim, and Reddick for the foreseeable future, and it's easy to understand why. Reddick and Heim have wins in 2026, and Wallace has run well. 23XI Racing shouldn't have any additional changes, with Heim replacing Herbst.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Predicting 23XI Racing's driver lineup for 2027 Cup season

Team Penske enters the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season with one big question mark. Ryan Blaney recently signed a long-term contract extension, while Joey Logano is locked into his No. 22 car. However, will Austin Cindric earn another year in the No. 2 car? It might be one of the biggest questions in NASCAR's silly season.

Despite not having the same success as his Team Penske teammates over the last few seasons, Motorsports Wire is predicting that Cindric will drive the No. 2 car in 2027. There shouldn't be much appetite for a change since Ford is having a down year overall. In fact, the driver of the No. 2 car is higher than Logano in the standings right now.

Team Penske hopes to find more speed over the remainder of the 2026 NASCAR season, but Cindric, Blaney, and Logano should all be in line to continue driving for the organization. The team is one of the best in NASCAR, and any decision for Cindric should be pushed to next season.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Predicting Team Penske's driver lineup for 2027 Cup season

A.J. Allmendinger is reaching a very important milestone on Sunday. Allmendinger will make his 500th NASCAR Cup Series start when the green flag waves at Sonoma Raceway. The Kaulig Racing driver is from California and believes Sonoma is his home track in NASCAR.

Allmendinger made his first Cup Series start in 2007 with Red Bull Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 16 car has raced for several teams, such as Team Penske and JTG Daugherty Racing. Allmendinger's first Cup Series victory came at Watkins Glen International in 2014.

Now, Allmendinger will make his 500th Cup Series start at Sonoma, another road course. The Kaulig Racing driver can win, so a special milestone could come with an outstanding victory. Either way, Allmendinger has become a fixture in the Cup Series, and 500 starts is not easy for any driver.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: A.J. Allmendinger to make 500th Cup start at Sonoma in 2026

NASCAR arrived in San Diego for the 2026 Anduril 250, and the 17th points race of the season was thrilling. Ryan Blaney won Stage 1 while Ryan Preece won Stage 2; however, neither driver was able to enter victory lane. Instead, it was a 23XI Racing driver who earned their first career victory.

At the end of the day, Corey Heim won his first career Cup Series race of 2026 in San Diego. After a slight overview of the notable moments, here are the NASCAR TV ratings following the 2026 Anduril 250 in San Diego!

NASCAR and Prime Video earned 2.28 million average viewers for the Anduril 250. This was NASCAR's first race in San Diego on an active military base, so there is no comparable event to the 2026 Cup Series season. Overall, it was a great turnout for NASCAR and Prime Video on Sunday afternoon.

More: Prime Video brings back popular side-by-side box format in 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR TV ratings for Cup Series race at San Diego in June 2026

Brad Keselowski is facing a major challenge after qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway. Keselowski will roll off the grid in 35th place, only ahead of Cody Ware for the Cup Series event on Sunday. This comes after a very poor effort in qualifying on Saturday.

There is no denying that road courses have been very difficult for the RFK Racing driver, and starting in 35th place won't help his case. Keselowski has fallen to 19th place in the standings despite having only a 13-point deficit to the Chase bubble. Unfortunately, it might get worse on Sunday.

Keselowski has suffered a disastrous four-race stretch that has put him down in the standings. Most of the finishes were not his fault, but he has to survive Sonoma within touching distance of the Chase bubble. With a 35th-place starting spot, it will take a lot of work for Keselowski this weekend.

More: NASCAR starting lineup for Cup Series race at Sonoma in June 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Brad Keselowski faces big challenge with poor starting spot at Sonoma

Chase Elliott is facing an uphill climb in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway. On Saturday, Elliott and the No. 9 team for Hendrick Motorsports qualified in 18th place, which ranks third among the team's four drivers. It was a disappointing result for the driver of the No. 9 car.

Elliott hasn't been strong on road courses in the NextGen era, and it has only gotten worse during the 2026 NASCAR season. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has lacked top 10 pace on road courses, and now he has to find a way to gain track position and stay up front on Sunday afternoon.

Over the last month, Elliott has fallen to sixth in the standings, so a good points day might be the most important outcome. Unless Elliott and the No. 9 team can find more speed, a race win might not be on the table. Instead, Elliott could hope for good points in Stage 1 to help maximize his day.

More: NASCAR starting lineup for Cup Series race at Sonoma in June 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Chase Elliott faces uphill climb for NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma in 2026

Connor Zilisch will have some work to do on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, Zilisch and the No. 88 team for Trackhouse Racing qualified in 17th place for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway. This comes after hte Trackhouse Racing driver struggled in the final corners of his last two laps.

Zilisch has enough speed to win the Cup Series race at Sonoma, but he must pass 16 drivers to make it happen. While the driver of the No. 88 car has significantly struggled to finish races in 2026, it could be an advantage over his teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, on Sunday afternoon.

Zilicsch isn't fighting for a Chase spot, so he can afford to take some risks. Instead of fighting on the Chase bubble like van Gisbergen, Zillisch can flip stages to gain track position. At the end of the day, it might be what he needs to compete for his first career Cup Series victory.

More: NASCAR starting lineup for Cup Series race at Sonoma in June 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Connor Zilisch shockingly qualifies 17th at Sonoma in 2026

Christopher Bell hopes to complete the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, and the No. 20 car has pace. After breaking his wrist in a crash with Chase Elliott during the Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, Bell wasn't able to complete the event in San Diego last weekend.

Now, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will roll off in 14th place for the Cup Series race at Sonoma on Sunday. in fact, Bell was in Group A qualifying, meaning that he might have been fast enough to qualify in the top 10 spots with a broken wrist. It was a very impressive effort by Bell and the No. 20 team.

Bell must find a way to spark some momentum, as he has fallen to 12th in the point standings. Bell is one of NASCAR's best road course drivers, and he could take advantage of that on Sunday. Even with a broken wrist, Bell has the speed to compete for a top-10 finish.

More: NASCAR starting lineup for Cup Series race at Sonoma in June 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Christopher Bell qualifies 14th with broken wrist at Sonoma in 2026

William Sawalich is now below the Chase bubble. With five races left in the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Series regular season, Sawalich sits 13th in the standings with a 20-point deficit to his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Taylor Gray. This comes after a strong day by Brent Crews at Sonoma Raceway.

Crews was able to finish in third place with the most points, and he entered just below Sawalich in the standings. Even with Gray running out of gas on the final lap, Sawalich is still 20 points below the Chase bubble. Now, the driver of the No. 18 car has to execute moving forward.

If Sawalich has one mistake, he could lose even more ground to the Chase bubble. The Joe Gibbs Racing competitor has to find speed over his teammates in the coming weeks. If not, Sawalich could miss the Chase with Crews and Gray fighting for an O'Reilly Series championship this fall.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: William Sawalich falls below Chase cut-line in O'Reilly at Sonoma

Taylor Gray suffered a heartbreaking result in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma Raceway. With one lap to go, Gray ran out of gas just before the start-finish line, ruining a top-5 finish. Instead, the driver of the No. 54 car wasn't able to finish the race, and it hurt his position in the point standings.

Gray sits 12th in the point standings with a 20-point advantage over his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, William Sawalich. If Gray was able to finish the race with enough gas, he would be sitting in 11th place with a bigger cushion over the Chase bubble.

The driver of the No. 54 car hopes to make the Chase, but he should have the speed if luck is on his side. Gray has been strong during the 2026 NASCAR season, and unfortunate luck has kept him lower in the standings. Now, Gray has to find a way to move forward and execute at Chicagoland Speedway next weekend.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Taylor Gray loses points after running out of gas in Sonoma at 2026

Brent Crews had a very strong day in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma Raceway. Crews finished in third place behind Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch while earning the most stage points. The performance has put Crews into 11th place in the point standings, ahead of Taylor Gray and William Sawalich.

The driver of the No. 19 car is looking for his first career NASCAR victory, but there was nothing wrong with his Saturday at Sonoma. Crews was able to gain a lot of points, more than any full-time O'Reilly Series driver. After a wreck in San Diego, this was a much-needed result.

Crews is getting very close to his first O'Reilly Series win, and one race could change everything. For now, the No. 19 team for Joe Gibbs Racing is focused on making the Chase. If Crews can start winning races, he should be able to compete for an O'Reilly Series championship in 2026.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Brent Crews' strong day at Sonoma puts him above Chase bubble in 2026

Brandon Jones has lost ground in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series point standings after the race at Sonoma Raceway. Jones faced unfortunate luck after his No. 20 car shut off with a mechanical issue in Stage 1. The driver of the No. 20 car wasn't able to recover, losing a spot in the standings to Sammy Smith.

Luckily for Jones, he has a firm grasp on eighth place over Parker Retzlaff, who is 40 points behind with five races left in the 2026 O'Reilly Series regular season. If not for a mechanical issue, there is a possibility that Jones could sit sixth in the standings above Smith and Carson Kvapil.

Instead, Jones must focus forward and hope he can gain more points over the coming weeks. There will be plenty of disappointment in the No. 20 camp for Joe Gibbs Racing, but there is reason for optimism. Jones is a championship-level driver, and he should have some good races coming up.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Brandon Jones loses points after unlucky issue at Sonoma in 2026

Sammy Smith has jumped up one spot in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series standings. After a strong performance at Sonoma Raceway, Smith sits seventh in the point standings ahead of Brandon Jones. The driver of the No. 8 car finished in 11th place, but it goes much deeper than the result.

Smith earned a lot of Stage 2 points, pitting with Connor Zilisch and Brent Crews. However, the No. 8 team wasn't able to get the tire on the car during the pit stop. Smith lost all of his track position and was almost able to climb back into the top 10 spots at Sonoma.

It has been an up-and-down season for the JR Motorsports driver, but Saturday was one of his better performances of the 2026 NASCAR season. Smith may not have been rewarded with a strong finish, but he did earn one spot in the O'Reilly Series point standings for his struggles.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Sammy Smith jumps in standings after strong race at Sonoma in 2026

Connor Zilisch was aiming to win his second straight NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma Raceway, but it wasn't meant to be on Saturday. Shane van Gisbergen won the O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma after flipping Stage 2. Zilisch and the No. 1 team decided to run out Stage 2, coming down pit road for tires and fuel.

Zilisch hoped that he would be able to catch van Gisbergen with fresher tires and more gas, but the No. 9 car never wavered. Van Gisbergen is arguably the best road course driver in NASCAR history, and his ability to run in the lead and save fuel was on full display at Sonoma.

In 2025, Zilisch was able to hold off van Gisbergen on the final lap, but there wasn't any drama on Saturday. Van Gisbergen drove into the sunset in Wine Country, earning a much-needed win after San Diego last weekend. Zilisch has dropped a race to van Gisbergen, and he hopes to earn it back on Sunday.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Connor Zilisch falls short to Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma in 2026

Chris Buescher isn't going anywhere. Buescher has signed a long-term contract extension to remain in the No. 17 car for RFK Racing beyond the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The driver of the No. 17 car has impressed as the top RFK Racing driver in the point standings this year.

Buescher would have been a very hot commodity in NASCAR silly season, but RFK Racing didn't want to let him leave. It is understandable, as Buescher is a proven winner in the Cup Series. The only issue for RFK Racing is that they have two charters for three drivers in 2027.

More likely than not, Brad Keselowski will return to the No. 6 car, meaning Ryan Preece will be driving an open entry if he stays with the organization. As for Buescher, he is locked into the No. 17 car moving forward, and RFK Racing hopes that he can reach new levels on his next contract.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Chris Buescher signs contract extension with RFK Racing

NASCAR will have a special guest driving the pace car at Sonoma Raceway. Former Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli will drive the pace car ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma. Ezeli won the 2015 NBA Finals with Golden State alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

After winning his championship, Ezeli spent only one more season with the Warriors before retiring due to severe, debilitating knee injuries and multiple surgeries that made it impossible for him to stay on the court. Still, Ezeli is widely regarded as a fan favorite of Golden State for his role in the 2015 NBA Finals.

Ezeli will now experience a NASCAR weekend in Sonoma as a pace car driver. It will be great to see Ezeli at the race track, as the fans will love his presence in Sonoma. This continues NASCAR's great success of finding celebrities to drive the pace car in the Cup Series.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Festus Ezeli to drive pace car before Cup race at Sonoma in 2026

Jimmie Johnson is joining TNT Sports. Johnson will contribute to TNT Sports’ coverage from Sonoma Raceway (June 28), North Wilkesboro Speedway (July 19), and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 26) as a studio analyst. That is three of TNT Sports' five races during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“Joining TNT Sports is an opportunity that truly energizes me,” Johnson said in a press release. “NASCAR has given me so much throughout my career, and getting the chance to share that passion from a new perspective alongside a fantastic team of NASCAR legends is something I’m really looking forward to. TNT Sports has a long history of bringing fans closer to the action, and I’m excited to help deliver that same level of insight, intensity, and fun as part of their NASCAR coverage."

Johnson has done work with NBC Sports in the past, so this isn't an unusual atmosphere for him. Most recently, Johnson ran two NASCAR races at San Diego in the Cup and Truck Series. Now, the seven-time Cup Series champion is trading a wheel for a microphone.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Jimmie Johnson joins TNT Sports as NASCAR analyst in 2026

Christopher Bell's status for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway is one of the biggest storylines of the weekend. Bell, who broke his wrist at Michigan International Speedway, got out of the No. 20 Toyota after the first caution at San Diego. So, will the Joe Gibbs Racing driver compete at Sonoma?

Bell is confident that he will run the full race at Sonoma this weekend, as reported by FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass. Brent Crews, who replaced Bell in San Diego, will be the relief driver if he needs to get out. However, it seems like Bell wants to run the whole race at Sonoma.

The No. 20 car was fast in San Diego on the long run, struggling on short-run pace. Bell won't have to worry about concrete walls and tight corners, making Sonoma an easier challenge. Now, Bell hopes to get his momentum back and have a full, solid race at Sonoma this weekend.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Christopher Bell's injury status for Sonoma gets a big update in 2026

Erik Jones is quickly climbing the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, as Legacy Motor Club continues its development. Jones sits 14th in the point standings with a 10-point advantage over Shane van Gisbergen in 17th place. This comes after the Legacy Motor Club driver's rapid improvement.

Jones has three top-6 finishes in the last six races, and the No. 43 car continues to be a consistent threat in the top 20 spots. The driver of the No. 43 car had a best finish of second place at Michigan International Speedway. With nine races left in the 2026 Cup Series regular season, this will be an all-out fight for the Chase.

There will be questions on whether Jones and the No. 43 team for Legacy Motor Club can keep this consistent speed moving forward. If so, the Michigan native should be in a good spot. Jones has been getting close to victory lane in 2026, and he could find a way to accomplish that in the coming weeks.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Erik Jones climbing standings with Chase spot on the line in 2026

Christopher Bell is falling in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. It has been a disastrous season for Bell, who has been the most unlucky driver in NASCAR. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver sits 12th in the standings following a horrendous three-race stretch, starting with his broken wrist at Michigan International Speedway.

Chase Elliott lost control of the No. 9 car at Michigan, sending Bell hard into the wall. The driver of the No. 20 car broke his wrist at Michigan, ran out of gas at Pocono Raceway, and watched his vehicle blow up with Brent Crews at San Diego. Needless to say, this couldn't get much worse for Bell.

It might not be meant to be for Bell, but there is time for him to get back to full health and make a run in the Chae. If the Joe Gibbs Racing driver can win a few races in the Chase, it would set him up to be in a spot to compete for a championship. For now, Bell has to start gaining some momentum after Sonoma Raceway.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Christopher Bell falling in points after wrist injury at Michigan

Chase Briscoe is rapidly climbing the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. Entering Sonoma Raceway, Briscoe now sits 10th in the point standings behind Carson Hoceevar and ahead of Bubba Wallace. This comes after the driver of the No. 19 car has limited his DNFs over the last four events.

Briscoe is still well behind his target of fifth place in the standings, but there is some positive momentum. The No. 19 team has been earning more stage points, even after a slower-than-expected weekend in San Diego. Now, Briscoe hopes to find another gear at Sonoma this weekend.

With only nine races left in the 2026 Cup Series regular season, there is time for Briscoe to make headway. Joe Gibbs Racing has been NASCAR's fastest organization during the 2026 Cup Series season, and Briscoe should be able to take advantage of that over the next couple of months.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Chase Briscoe rapidly climbing standings after rough start to 2026

Chase Elliott is dropping in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. After a good run of races in the spring months, Elliott has fallen to sixth place in points behind Kyle Larson and Ty Gibbs. This comes after the 2020 Cup Series champion has only had one top-10 finish in the last six races.

The driver of the No. 9 car was Hendrick Motorsports' fastest driver after winning at Texas Motor Speedway, but Larson has four top-5 finishes in the last five events. Elliott and the No. 9 team have been a step behind, even if he had a really good car before wrecking at Michigan International Speedway.

With Sonoma Raceway coming up next, Hendrick Motorsports' road course program suggests that it could be another rough weekend for Elliott. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is only 34 points above Chris Buescher in seventh place, so he could drop even more if the performance doesn't change.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Chase Elliott dropping in point standings ahead of Sonoma in 2026

Kyle Larson is climbing in the point standings. After the NASCAR Cup Series race at San Diego, Larson is sitting fourth in the point standings. It has been a great month of races for the two-time Cup Series champion, as he continues to produce great results and speed on the race track.

In the last five races, Larson has four top-5 finishes. The speed of the No. 5 car has increased over the last month, and there are no signs that it will be slowing down. Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet had a tough start to the 2026 NASCAR season after the manufacturer made changes to its body.

Larson is 180 points behind Tyler Reddick for the lead, so that is out of the picture. With nine races left in the 2026 Cup Series regular season, Larson could climb as high as third place, which is Ryan Blaney with a 47-point advantage. Either way, Larson has more pace, and that is dangerous for the field.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Kyle Larson climbing points standings ahead of Sonoma in 2026

Sam Mayer is fighting for a spot in the Chase, and the NASCAR O'Reilly Series race in San Diego didn't help his odds. Mayer had a strong run going before hitting a wall on the restart, destroying his No. 41 car and causing a massive wreck. The Haas Factory Team competitor finished in 34th place.

Following the wreck, Mayer talked about his incident in San Diego, and he was very somber. It is understandable after he made a mistake that wrecked many cars.

“First off, I just need to apologize for everybody in the field and everybody in the garage,” Mayer said. “I cannot be making mistakes like this, and I’m just heartbroken right now. I mean, I can’t be doing that. That’s just irresponsible, it’s embarrassing. I’ve got to be better.”

“We were up front, thought we could win to be honest with you, and we were looking really good, and I just didn’t want to get used up on those restarts there towards the end, and I thought if I upped my aggression level from what it was, I could be in a really good spot, and I just overstepped my bounds. This one hurts a lot because San Diego is so freaking cool. This race track is so much fun. These guys work so hard. I’m literally going to have to go walk around the entire garage and apologize, because there’s what, 20-some people involved? Like, that’s just embarrassing. I can’t be doing that, and I hate it for everyone who’s involved because they literally had no choice but to just drive in it, and it’s on me.”

Mayer hasn't been delivering consistent results during the 2026 NASCAR season, and it has only put him 34 points ahead of the Chase bubble in 11th place. Mayer hopes to find the speed and consistency to make a run for the championship, but he has to make the Chase first.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Sam Mayer addresses big NASCAR O'Reilly wreck at San Diego in 2026

JR Motorsports will lead the NASCAR O'Reilly Series starting lineup for the race at Sonoma Raceway in June. Shane van Gisbergen won the pole for the 2026 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma this weekend. Brent Crews will join van Gisbergen on the front row for Saturday afternoon's event. It is van Gisbergen's first pole position of the 2026 season.

Taylor Gray and Anthony Alfredo will follow the two drivers on the second row. Most notably, Rajah Caruth, Jeb Burton, Ryan Sieg, Connor Zilisch, Patrick Staropoli, and Austin Green all start 20th or worse for Saturday afternoon's event.

The full NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup at Sonoma in June 2026 is below!

NASCAR O'Reilly Series starting lineup at Sonoma (June 2026)

1. No. 9 Shane van Gisbergen
2. No. 19 Brent Crews
3. No. 54 Taylor Gray
4. No. 96 Anthony Alfredo
5. No. 99 Parker Retzlaff
6. No. 17 Corey Day
7. No. 2 Jesse Love
8. No. 7 Justin Allgaier
9. No. 41 Sam Mayer
10. No. 21 Austin Hill
11. No. 00 Sheldon Creed
12. No. 18 William Sawalich
13. No. 8 Sammy Smith
14. No. 20 Brandon Jones
15. No. 32 Ross Chastain
16. No. 91 Carson Kvapil
17. No. 26 Dean Thompson
18. No. 07 Josh Bilicki
19. No. 24 Harrison Burton
20. No. 42 Will Rodgers
21. No. 88 Rajah Caruth
22. No. 27 Jeb Burton
23. No. 51 Jeremy Clements
24. No. 0 Alex Labbe
25. No. 39 Ryan Sieg
26. No. 92 Josh Williams
27. No. 31 Blaine Perkins
28. No. 28 Kyle Sieg
29. No. 02 Ryan Ellis
30. No. 1 Connor Zilisch
31. No. 45 Lavar Scott
32. No. 44 Brennan Poole
33. No. 71 Leland Honeyman Jr.
34. No. 48 Patrick Staropoli
35. No. 53 Kyle Kelley
36. No. 35 Dawson Cram
37. No. 87 Austin Green
38. No. 55 Brad Perez

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR starting lineup for O'Reilly race at Sonoma in June 2026

Brent Crews is fighting for a Chase spot and his first career NASCAR victory. Despite missing four races due to age restrictions earlier in 2026, Crews is 13th in the standings, only five points behind William Sawalich. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has been in and out of the Chase over the last few weeks.

In fact, Crews had one of the best cars in San Diego before a wreck took him out of contention. The driver of the No. 19 car finished in second place to Justin Allgaier in two straight races before San Diego. Crews has the speed and talent to make the 12-driver Chase this season.

Crews has been so close to winning his first NASCAR race in 2026, and the dam could break if he is able to enter victory lane. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver should be one of the favorites to win the championship if he can find a way to start winning, but he has to make the Chase first.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Brent Crews fighting for Chase spot after missing four races in 2026

Austin Hill earned one of the most emotional wins of his NASCAR O'Reilly Series career in San Diego. In the closing laps, Hill moved Taylor Gray out of the way, earning his first career victory on a road course. It was also Richard Childress Racing's first win since the death of Kyle Busch in May.

Following the event, Hill spoke about his NASCAR win in San Diego. It was an emotional interview, as the driver of the No. 21 car talked about Busch.

"It's extremely special, just to finally check that box of getting that road course win, we've been so close so many times," Hill said. "I'm not gonna lie, I started talking to [Kyle Busch] a little bit down the straightaways,'' Hill explained while pointing his hat, which displayed the number eight — the digit Busch carried for the team. "I was like 'man, Kyle, if you're here, give me something, let me find another gear.'"

Hill replaced Busch in the rebranded No. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series and has run well over the last few weeks. Hill's victory in San Diego is one of the most memorable of his NASCAR career, and he hopes it will turn into more momentum moving forward.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Austin Hill discusses emotional NASCAR win at San Diego in 2026

Corey Day had one of the most insane races in NASCAR during the 2026 O'Reilly Series season. On Lap 1 in San Diego, a loose cover for a manhole went through the front of the No. 17 car, destroying Day's radiator. The Hendrick Motorsports driver went four laps down before NASCAR gave his laps back.

Then, Day hoped to gain track position at the end of Stage 1, but had to start in the rear following a pit-road penalty. Day ultimately climbed back to the front of the field, finishing in 10th place in San Diego. It was one of the best drives of the Hendrick Motorsports competitor's career.

Day sits 14 points below Jesse Love for second in the point standings. Meanwhile, he has a two-point gap over Sheldon Creed for third place. It was an incredible turn of events for Day in San Diego, and he hopes to carry this momentum to Sonoma Raceway on Saturday evening.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Corey Day bounces back after changing radiator at San Diego

Welcome to the Chase, Justin Allgaier. In non-shocking news, Allgaier has clinched a spot in the Chase during the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Series season. This doesn't come as a surprise because the JR Motorsports driver has five wins and a 224-point lead in the O'Reilly Series standings.

There are six races left before the Chase entering Sonoma Raceway, but Allgaier is very likely to win the O'Reilly series regular season championship. Barring one of the most insane collapses in NASCAR history, the driver of the No. 7 car should have the most points entering the Chase.

Allgaier is having one of his better seasons in the O'Reilly Series, so there should be plenty of reasons why he is the favorite to win his second title. The O'Reilly Series better watch out because clinching a spot in the Chase two months before the end of the regular season is an unbelievable outcome.

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Justin Allgaier clinches Chase spot in O'Reilly Series in 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series is ready to take on the 2026 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma Raceway, and the entry list has been revealed. 

NASCAR released the 2026 Toyota/Save Mart 350 and O'Reilly Series entry list for Sonoma on Monday afternoon. This is NASCAR's last road course for the Cup and O'Reilly Series during the 2026 season. The NASCAR Truck Series will have an off-weekend.

There will be 38 entries for the 2026 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 on Saturday afternoon, meaning zero drivers will miss the show. Among the notable entries are Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen (JR Motorsports). Also, Ross Chastain returns to the No. 32 car for Jordan Anderson Racing at Sonoma.

Below, you can check out the NASCAR entry list for the O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma in June 2026!

NASCAR O'Reilly Series entry list, Sonoma (June 2026)

1. No. 0 Alex Labbe
2. No. 00 Sheldon Creed
3. No. 1 Connor Zilisch
4. No. 02 Ryan Ellis
5. No. 2 Jesse Love
6. No. 07 Josh Bilicki
7. No. 7 Justin Allgaier
8. No. 8 Sammy Smith
9. No. 9 Shane van Gisbergen
10. No. 17 Corey Day
11. No. 18 William Sawalich
12. No. 19 Brent Crews
13. No. 20 Brandon Jones
14. No. 21 Austin Hill
15. No. 24 Harrison Burton
16. No. 26 Dean Thompson
17. No. 27 Jeb Burton
18. No. 28 Kyle Sieg
19. No. 31 Blaine Perkins
20. No. 32 Ross Chastain
21. No. 35 Dawson Cram
22. No. 39 Ryan Sieg
23. No. 41 Sam Mayer
24. No. 42 Will Rodgers
25. No. 44 Brennan Poole
26. No. 45 Lavar Scott
27. No. 48 Patrick Staropoli
28. No. 51 Jeremy Clements
29. No. 53 Kyle Kelley
30. No. 54 Taylor Gray
31. No. 55 Brad Perez
32. No. 71 Leland Honeyman
33. No. 87 Austin Green
34. No. 88 Rajah Caruth
35. No. 91 Carson Kvapil
36. No. 92 Josh Williams
37. No. 96 Anthony Alfredo
38. No. 99 Parker Retzlaff

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR entry list for O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma in June 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series is ready to take on the 2026 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, and the entry list has been revealed. 

NASCAR released the 2026 Toyota/Save Mart 350 and O'Reilly Series entry list for Sonoma on Monday afternoon. This is NASCAR's last road course for the Cup and O'Reilly Series during the 2026 season. The NASCAR Truck Series will have an off-weekend.

There are 36 guaranteed charters for the 2026 Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday afternoon. Thirty-five drivers are full-time, while Austin Hill replaces Kyle Busch in the No. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing after his tragic passing. There are no open entries, making it a 36-driver field.

Below, you can check out the NASCAR entry list for the Cup Series race at Sonoma in June 2026!

NASCAR Cup Series entry list, Sonoma (June 2026)

1. No. 1 Ross Chastain
2. No. 2 Austin Cindric
3. No. 3 Austin Dillon
4. No. 4 Noah Gragson
5. No. 5 Kyle Larson
6. No. 6 Brad Keselowski
7. No. 7 Daniel Suarez
8. No. 9 Chase Elliott
9. No. 10 Ty Dillon
10. No. 11 Denny Hamlin
11. No. 12 Ryan Blaney
12. No. 16 A.J. Allmendinger
13. No. 17 Chris Buescher
14. No. 19 Chase Briscoe
15. No. 20 Christopher Bell
16. No. 21 Josh Berry
17. No. 22 Joey Logano
18. No. 23 Bubba Wallace
19. No. 24 William Byron
20. No. 33 Austin Hill
21. No. 34 Todd Gilliland
22. No. 35 Riley Herbst
23. No. 38 Zane Smith
24. No. 41 Cole Custer
25. No. 42 John Hunter Nemechek
26. No. 43 Erik Jones
27. No. 45 Tyler Reddick
28. No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
29. No. 48 Alex Bowman
30. No. 51 Cody Ware
31. No. 54 Ty Gibbs
32. No. 60 Ryan Preece
33. No. 71 Michael McDowell
34. No. 77 Carson Hocevar
35. No. 88 Connor Zilisch
36. No. 97 Shane van Gisbergen

* = open entry

More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR entry list for Cup Series race at Sonoma in June 2026