Can Hendrick Fix Their Road Course Problems? | Sonoma Picks, Preview & More!

What’s Happening?

Soma Raceway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series for a second straight California road course weekend, and while Shane van Gisbergen enters as the favorite once again, there are plenty of storylines that could shake up Sunday’s race. Eric Estepp and Ryan Stevens break down whether SVG can bounce back after last week’s disappointment, which drivers are emerging as serious threats, and why Sonoma’s unique layout could produce very different results.

• Can Shane van Gisbergen rebound from his San Diego setback and once again dominate at Soma, or will another Toyota driver spoil his road course streak?
• Is Bubba Wallace’s runner-up finish at San Diego proof that he has become a legitimate road course contender, or was it simply a one-off performance?
• Which Ford driver has the best chance to challenge for the win if SVG falters, and can Ryan Blaney or Chris Buescher finally return Ford to Victory Lane on a road course?
• Could Connor Zilisch finally turn his elite road course speed into the breakthrough finish his rookie season desperately needs, or will another Hendrick driver like Chase Elliott steal the spotlight?

With Sonoma’s rewarding strategy, long-run pace, and precision more than San Diego’s, this race could produce a very different outcome despite another stacked road course field. Eric and Ryan explain the key trends, sleepers, and contenders to watch before the green flag.

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