Sonoma, Calif. – Anthony Holbrook – June 9, 2024
Sonoma Raceway, originally known as Sears Point Raceway from 1967 to 1980 and 1982 to 2002, the Golden State International Raceway in 1981 and Infineon Raceway from 2012-2012 hosted the annual Toyota/Save Mart 350, Sunday June 9, 2024. Located at Sears Point of Sonoma County, California, the road course features 12 turns on a hilly course with 160 ft (49 m) of total elevation change.
Joey Logano started from the pole position on Sunday setting a new Sonoma Raceway track record with a lap time of 1:13.27.
Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Recap:
Stage 1
Joey Logano took command of the green flag separating himself from the field. Tyler Reddick entered the picture advancing to contest for the lead. A second straight engine failure for the JGR sent Denny Hamlin behind the fence. When the smoke cleared, Hamlin’s day was over on Lap 3.
With three trips around Sonoma from Stage 1 completion complete, Reddick was opposed by Cup Champ Ryan Blaney as doors clash. Reddick drove his lines while keeping an approaching Blaney at bay. Ryan Blaney ran out of time and opportunities to recapture his earlier lead. Tyler Reddick added a Stage 1 win and points to his playoff resume.
Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Results
Stage 1
1. Tyler Reddick
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Kyle Larson
4. Chase Elliott
5. Alex Bowman
6. Michael McDowell
7. Ross Chastain
8. Daniel Suarez
9. Corey LaJoie
10. Todd Gilliland
Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Recap:
Stage 2
Sage 1 winner Tyler Reddick and the top contenders held their positions, refusing Stage 2 pit service. Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick interchanged the lead as Tyler prevailed to lead the field. Two-time Sonoma winner Kyle Larson patiently advanced and took over second position from Blaney.
An Austin Cindric, Mike McDowell and Noah Gragson’s disagreement invited a crucial caution with just a few laps to finish the Stage. The frontrunners led by Tyler Reddick entered pit for attention while Chris Busher and others stayed out. Chris Buescher’s gamble paid-off collecting Stage 2 honors in wine country.
Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Results:
Stage 2
1. Chris Buescher
2. Ryan Preece
3. Martin Truex Jr
4. Kyle Busch
5. AJ Allmendinger
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Erik Jones
8. Todd Gilliland
9. Joey Logano
10. Harrison Burton
Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Recap:
Final Stage
Duplicating the previous Stage, Stage 2 winner Chris Buescher refuses Stage Pit service to secure the post. 13 Laps after final Stage restart, Chris Buescher took a green-flag pit stop handing over the lead to Kyle Larson. Chase Elliott joined the pack to lead the fans and field at Sonoma. Fan favorite Elliott’s stint at the front didn’t last long as he relinquished the lead to his teammate Kyle Larson.
Larson entered for final pit-service on Lap 81 sacrificing the lead for artillery. As Larson pitted, Chris Buescher regained the top position and prepared to battle aggressors approaching his rear-view mirror. Martin Truex Jr. set a hook in Chris Buescher and reeled in the lead with 10 laps left. Kyle Larson employed his arsenal a lap later forcing Martin Truex Jr. into a rare driving error. Larson regained the lead and awaited the competition.
Kyle Larson wins his 26th Career Cup Checkered flag while adding a 2nd Wine Goblet to his Trophy Case.
Toyota/Save Mart 350 – Results:
Final Stage
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Larson
2. Michael McDowell
3. Chris Buescher
4. Chase Elliott
5. Ross Chastain
6. AJ Allmendinger
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Tyler Reddick
9. Christopher Bell
10. Todd Gilliland
11. Corey LaJoie
12. Brad Keselowski
13. Daniel Suarez
14. Alex Bowman
15. Zane Smith
16. Carson Hocevar
17. Kyle Busch
18. Ryan Preece
19. Erik Jones
20. Bubba Wallace
21. Joey Logano
22. Austin Cindric
23. Kaz Grala
24. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
25. Harrison Burton
26. Noah Gragson
27. Martin Truex Jr
28. Daniel Hemric
29. John Hunter Nemechek
30. William Byron
31. Will Brown
32. Josh Berry
33. Justin Haley
34. Chase Briscoe
35. Cam Waters
36. Austin Dillon
37. Ty Gibbs
38. Denny Hamlin
NASCAR Cup Series
Playoff Points Standings
(After Toyota/Save Mart 350)
6/9/24
Pos | Driver | Wins | Playoff Points
1. Kyle Larson | 3 Wins
2. Denny Hamlin | 3 Wins
3. William Byron | 3 Wins
4. Christopher Bell | 2 Wins
5. Chase Elliott | 1 Win
6. Tyler Reddick | 1 Win
7. Brad Keselowski | 1 Win
8. Austin Cindric | 1 Win
9. Daniel Suarez | 1 Win
10. Martin Truex Jr | +128
11. Ty Gibbs | +86
12. Ross Chastain | +73
13. Alex Bowman | +65
14. Ryan Blaney | +74
15. Chris Buescher | +32
16. Bubba Wallace | +8
— Playoff Cutline —
17. Kyle Busch | -8
18. Joey Logano | -16
19. Chase Briscoe | -27
NASCAR Cup Series visits Newton, Iowa for the Annual Iowa Corn 350 Powered By Ethanol.
Sunday, June 16th, 2024, 7:00 pm E.T. USA / MRN / SiriusXM – NASCAR 90)
