I saw last week’s NASCAR race described as a stock car version of PAC-12 (RIP) after dark. A fitting description considering the series heads west to the land of the former power conference this weekend. Austin Cindric’s shocking win punched the #2 team’s playoff ticket but now the 2024 Toyota/Save Mart 350 presents another opportunity for a driver to claim a spot in the postseason.
Sonoma marks the second road course of the season meaning NASCAR’s best will make rights and lefts once again. These tracks can produce “surprise” winners from time to time, like AJ Allmendinger at the Charlotte Roval or Michael McDowell at the Indianapolis Road Course. A new cast of characters joins the fray as well making for some exciting entries in the list below.
2024 Toyota/Save Mart 350 Entry List
The first notable change in the lineup from last week comes with AJ Allmendinger getting back behind the wheel of the #16 for Kaulig Racing. The Xfinity regular and road course ace always represents a threat to win on these types of tracks. Allmendinger is also joined by a pair of Aussies over from Supercars. Will Brown mans the #33 for Richard Childress Racing while Cam Waters hops in the driver seat of the #60 for RFK Racing.
After Shane van Gisbergen’s instant success in the Cup series last year it shouldn’t come as any surprise to see more drivers from the discipline make their way over but we’ll see how much success Waters and Brown have.
Welcome to Sonoma, Cam 🤝
— Stage 60 (@RFKStage60) June 7, 2024
90 minutes until we get on track pic.twitter.com/Gbqla3PBd6
As for the track itself, the 1.99-mile road course has produced some exciting finishes in the past. However, the NextGen car struggles have been prevalent on road courses meaning that passing will be exceedingly difficult once again. With that being said, I’m excited to see some of the new faces behind the wheel and think we could get a fair share of excitement. In particular, keep an eye on the restarts – the climb up the hill through turns one, two, and three tends to produce some incredible moments.
2024 Toyota/Save Mart 300 Race Odds and Predictions
Unsurprisingly, Kyle Larson sits near the top of the odds at +650 but instead of his usual dance partner Denny Hamlin (+1600), it’s Hamlin’s JGR teammate Martin Truex who ranks as the favorite for Sunday’s race at +600. Chase Elliott’s past success at road courses always makes for an interesting pick – he sits at +850. I also have an eye on Tyler Reddick at +900.
Among the “road course ringers”, AJ Allmendinger has the best odds at +1200. Will Brown comes in at +3500 and Cam Waters has +6000 odds. Allmendinger represents a real threat, but instead of as a winner – I’d rather take him at +200 to finish in the top five.
IT'S RACE WEEK IN SONOMA. 🔥#ToyotaSaveMart350 | @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/8XsiJlynUR
— Sonoma Raceway (@RaceSonoma) June 3, 2024
As for my official race-win pick, I’m taking William Byron in the #24. Byron had the dominant car of the day at Circuit of the Americas earlier this year and represents great value at +900 as well. However, if you want even more of a dark horse, consider Michael McDowell at +1500. If his power steering can hold up, the driver of the #34 has proven he can win on road courses.
Be sure to check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action.
Friday 06/07
General Tire 200 (ARCA Menards Series) – 5:30 p.m. CT on FloRacing
Saturday 06/08
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 2:30 p.m. CT on FS2
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 5:00 p.m. CT on FS2
Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) – 7:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Sunday 06/09
Toyota/Save Mart 350 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 2:30 p.m. CT on FOX
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