Sonoma Groovy Gauge Presented by Lectric eBikes

What’s Happening?

Shane van Gisbergen completed a dominant weekend by sweeping Sonoma and earning his second Cup Series victory of the season, but the race itself proved to be more competitive than the final result suggested. Chase Briscoe’s determined late charge kept the outcome in doubt until the closing lap, helping turn an otherwise methodical road course event into a solid overall race. Here’s how this race scored on the Groovy Gauge, powered by Lectric eBikes.

Groovy Gauge Score: 65%

• Eric said Chase Briscoe’s late charge was what elevated the race. He expected SVG to cruise to an easy victory after the final pit cycle, but Briscoe’s pressure over the final laps created genuine suspense and made the ending far more entertaining.
• He believes most of the race was procedural rather than exciting. He felt Sonoma’s strategy and long green flag runs made the event fairly straightforward, with few dramatic moments until the closing laps.
• Eric said Shane van Gisbergen’s dominance actually held the race back. He described SVG as “playing with his food,” managing his pace throughout the event before responding whenever anyone got close, making much of the race feel inevitable.
• Eric believes Sonoma is simply an average NASCAR track. He said the venue has a beautiful location and deserves to stay on the schedule because of its importance to West Coast fans, but the racing is usually just “fine,” attendance appears underwhelming, television ratings are typically average, and this race fit that pattern despite ending on a high note.

2026 Groovy Gauge Score Tracker