NASCAR at Sonoma Raceway predictions, picks, odds: Four who can win
Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts 10th in his final race at Sonoma as he seeks his first-career win at the road course
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2 min read
Who takes the checkered flag on the road course at Sonoma Raceway? Last week all of our choices finished in the top 12 at Michigan, including race-winner Kyle Larson. Here are our picks for Sunday's race.
Winner: Kyle Busch
Eight different drivers have won the last eight races at Sonoma, but despite parity, Kyle Busch has proven to be the most consistent as he is the only active driver to visit Victory Lane twice at the track. While Busch sits comfortably at third in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings, he is still hungry for that first playoff-clinching victory. The No. 18 will have a great shot this weekend, lining up fourth to start the race.
Contenders: Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr.
Same contenders as last week, and for good reason. Both drivers sit atop the regular-season points with Larson winning the pole and 2013 race winner Truex Jr. starting third. Each of them have been too consistent this year to pick against, not to mention Larson is red hot coming off a Michigan win on Sunday as well as two sprint car victories on Monday and Tuesday. No matter where you put Larson these days he seems to always come out on top.
Wild card: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
While many are looking at Junior's final race at Daytona next week as his biggest chance to win this year, the No. 88 has been extremely consistent at Sonoma since 2013. Over the last four races here, Dale Jr. has an average finish of 8.25. He has never won at the track, but with a top-10 starting position this week, there is a legitimate chance Junior could make his final trip to Sonoma a memorable one.
Odds for Toyota/Save Mart 350
Here are the betting odds for Sunday's race, via VegasInsider.com
- Martin Truex Jr. 5/1
- Kyle Busch 11/2
- Kevin Harvick 13/2
- Jimmie Johnson 15/2
- Kurt Busch 15/2
- AJ Allmendinger 9/1
- Clint Bowyer 9/1
- Kyle Larson 12/1
- Denny Hamlin 15/1
- Jamie McMurray 20/1
- Joey Logano 20/1
- Brad Keselowski 25/1
- Chase Elliott 30/1
- Ryan Newman 50/1
- Billy Johnson 60/1
- Matt Kenseth 80/1
- Paul Menard 80/1
- Ryan Blaney 80/1
- Austin Dillon 100/1
- Daniel Suarez 100/1
- Erik Jones 100/1
Toyota/Save Mart 350 starting lineup
- Kyle Larson
- Jamie McMurray
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Kyle Busch
- AJ Allmendinger
- Danica Patrick (third-best start of career)
- Ryan Blaney
- Chase Elliott
- Chris Buescher
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Daniel Suarez
- Kevin Harvick
- Clint Bowyer
- Denny Hamlin
- Paul Menard
- Michael McDowell
- Kurt Busch
- Joey Logano
- Austin Dillon
- Ryan Newman
- Kasey Kahne
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Brad Keselowski
- Jimmie Johnson
- Trevor Bayne
- Billy Johnson
- Matt DiBenedetto
- David Ragan
- Cole Whitt
- Erik Jones
- Landon Cassill
- Alon Day
- Josh Bilicki
- Boris Said
- Ty Dillon
- Kevin O'Connell (series debut)
- Tommy Regan
- Matt Kenseth (engine change)
Bold - Denotes previous winners at Sonoma Raceway
Here's everything else you need to know for Sunday's race:
Track info
Track: Sonoma Raceway
Location: Sonoma, California
Track Length: 2.52 miles
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup standings
POS | DRIVER | CAR # | POINTS | BEHIND | STARTS | WINS |
1 | Kyle Larson | 42 | 640 | Leader | 15 | 2 |
2 | Martin Truex Jr. | 78 | 635 | -5 | 15 | 2 |
3 | Kyle Busch | 18 | 510 | -130 | 15 | 0 |
4 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | 508 | -132 | 15 | 0 |
5 | Chase Elliott | 24 | 478 | -162 | 15 | 0 |
6 | Brad Keselowski | 2 | 476 | -164 | 15 | 2 |
7 | Jamie McMurray | 1 | 450 | -190 | 15 | 0 |
8 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 | 449 | -191 | 15 | 3 |
9 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | 430 | -210 | 15 | 0 |
10 | Joey Logano | 22 | 398 | -242 | 15 | 1 |
11 | Matt Kenseth | 20 | 398 | -242 | 15 | 0 |
12 | Clint Bowyer | 14 | 391 | -249 | 15 | 0 |
13 | Ryan Blaney | 21 | 376 | -264 | 15 | 1 |
14 | Kurt Busch | 41 | 359 | -281 | 15 | 1 |
15 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 17 | 354 | -286 | 15 | 1 |
16 | Erik Jones | 77 | 346 | -294 | 15 | 0 |
Previous winners at Sonoma
2016: Tony Stewart (retired)
2015: Kyle Busch
2014: Carl Edwards (inactive)
2013: Martin Truex Jr.
2012: Clint Bowyer
How to watch the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Toyota / Save Mart 350
Location: Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California
Date: Sunday, June 25
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Length: 110 laps/218.9 miles
Stage 1: Ends on lap 25
Stage 2: Ends on lap 50
Final Stage: Scheduled for lap 110
TV: FS1/MRN
Live stream: Fox Sports GO
