NASCAR Cup Series Preview: Sonoma Showdown
June 2023 – Sonoma, CA – Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) continues to dominate the NASCAR Cup Series, achieving his second consecutive victory by sweeping the recent outings at the Chicago Street Course, where he claimed both the Cup and Xfinity races. SVG’s momentum carries him into Sonoma, where he has secured pole position for Sunday’s race.
Key Practice Results:
- SVG recorded strong averages, leading both the 10-lap and 15-lap metrics during practice, indicating sustained pace.
- A.J. Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs displayed speed, qualifying fifth and sixth respectively. Allmendinger excelled in five-lap runs, while Gibbs proved competitive in longer runs despite a winless streak across his first 106 starts.
- Teammate Ross Chastain qualified fourth and was competitive, finishing close to SVG’s pace in longer runs.
Competitor Insights:
- Christopher Bell ranked third in the 10-lap average and second in 15 laps, qualifying 10th, positioning him as a potential contender.
- Kyle Larson, a past Sonoma winner, qualified 11th and showed strength in shorter runs, finishing fourth in the 10-lap metrics – critical as he seeks a strong performance.
Noteworthy Drivers:
- Chris Buescher, although struggling in practice and qualifying 14th, has historically performed well at Sonoma, with an average panning across previous years.
- Chase Elliott, with a record of four top-five finishes at Sonoma, qualified 13th while aiming to capitalize on his road course speed.
- Michael McDowell, who led laps recently at Chicago before technical problems, qualified 15th but carries an impressive Sonoma resume.
With SVG’s current state of form and prior wins, he enters as the favorite, but the historical unpredictability of Sonoma leaves opportunities for challengers like Chastain, Bell, and Elliott.
As the race unfolds, maintaining pace during lengthy green-flag runs will be crucial for all competitors. Fans can expect an intriguing showdown at this storied road course.
