When most people think of NASCAR, they picture high-speed cars roaring around massive ovals at breakneck speed, bumper to bumper. But there's another side to stock car racing that delivers just as much heart-pounding action — if not more. Welcome to NASCAR road course racing.
Unlike traditional oval tracks, road courses like Sonoma Raceway challenge drivers with a twisting layout of left AND right turns, elevation changes, and narrow racing lines. This isn't just pedal-to-the-metal racing — it's a test of strategy, finesse, and brute force.
Sonoma Raceway, nestled in California's wine country, is one of the NASCAR schedule's most iconic and technically demanding road courses, with its 10-turn, 1.99-mile layout (or 2.52 miles with the Carousel) and the highest elevation change of any NASCAR circuit (160 ft.). Sonoma demands more than just horsepower. It requires drivers to brake hard into hairpin corners, master shifting techniques, and wheel their 3,400-pound stock cars through a rhythm of curves more akin to a Formula 1 race than a traditional NASCAR event.
"Sonoma has always been a very technical flowing road course," says Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. "It's a great racetrack and all the drivers and teams enjoy a changeup even from other road courses we have on the schedule," adds Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
One of the biggest reasons fans love road course racing? The beating and banging. In these tight, technical road courses, there's less room to maneuver and even less time to make decisions. Contact is inevitable — and often encouraged. As the old saying goes, "rubbin' is racin'." From fender-to-fender duels to last-lap divebombs into Turn 11, it's a raw and thrilling style of racing where tempers flare and highlight reels are born.
"Turn 11 will be seeing a lot of smoke," says Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. "It's going to be an exciting race."
And with recent improvements to the track, drivers are more aggressive than ever. "With the most recent repave, it allows drivers to go all-out, all the time," says Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Road courses also level the playing field. Drivers who grew up racing sports cars or open-wheel machines often shine, while others must quickly adapt. It's not unusual to see a surprise winner or a shake-up in the points standings after a road course weekend, which keeps the championship battle unpredictable and the fans on the edge of their seats.
To top it off, races at Sonoma are a sensory overload — the rumble of V8 engines echoing through the beautiful wine country backdrop, the scent of burning rubber and race fuel, and the sight of stock cars sliding sideways through the Esses or launching off the curbs. It's a full-throttle spectacle, and it's uniquely NASCAR.
So whether you're a longtime fan or new to the sport, there's no better way to experience NASCAR's high-stakes drama than on a road course. And there's no better place to witness it than Sonoma Raceway.
Mark your calendars: NASCAR returns to Sonoma Raceway July 11–13 for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Tickets, premium upgrades, camping, and parking options are now available at SonomaRaceway.com or by calling (800) 870-RACE [7223].
