NASCAR heads to California this weekend for one of the most technical road-course events on the calendar, with three days of on-track action featuring the Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and ARCA Menards Series West.
Unlike last weekend’s inaugural street race in San Diego, the series returns to the familiar 1.99-mile Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The forecast also looks favorable throughout the weekend, giving teams uninterrupted track time to prepare for Sunday’s race.
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Here’s everything fans need to know before the green flag drops.
Sonoma NASCAR Weekend Weather Forecast
The weather should cooperate from Friday through Sunday, with warm temperatures, mostly sunny skies, and only a minimal chance of rain each day.
Friday is expected to be the coolest day of the weekend with a high near 75 degrees and around a 12% chance of rain. West winds between 15 and 25 mph could create occasional gusts around the raceway, but conditions are expected to remain dry throughout practice, qualifying, and the ARCA race.
Saturday looks even better, with sunshine, a high near 74 degrees, and just an 8% chance of rain. Winds are expected between 10 and 20 mph, allowing teams ideal conditions for Cup practice, qualifying, and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race.
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Sunday’s forecast is nearly perfect for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. Temperatures should climb to around 82 degrees under mostly sunny skies with only about a 1% chance of rain. Winds between 10 and 20 mph may create subtle handling changes during the afternoon, but weather is not expected to affect the race.
Full Sonoma Weekend Schedule
Friday, June 26
1:40 p.m. ET
ARCA Menards Series West Practice
3:10 p.m. ET
ARCA Menards Series West Qualifying
4 p.m. ET
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice
TV/Streaming: CW App
5:05 p.m. ET
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying
TV/Streaming: CW App
6:30 p.m. ET
ARCA Menards Series West General Tire 150
Streaming: FloRacing
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Saturday, June 27
2 p.m. ET
NASCAR Cup Series Practice
TV: truTV
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
3:10 p.m. ET
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
TV: truTV
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
5:30 p.m. ET
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250
TV: The CW
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Sunday, June 28
3:30 p.m. ET
NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350
TV: TNT Sports
Streaming: HBO Max
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Sonoma Returns as a Midseason Road-Course Test
Sonoma has long been regarded as one of NASCAR’s premier road courses, rewarding precision, patience, and tire management over outright speed. The 1.99-mile circuit features dramatic elevation changes, tight corners, and heavy braking zones that routinely produce strategy-driven finishes.
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With the weather expected to remain consistent throughout the weekend, teams should receive uninterrupted practice and qualifying sessions before Sunday’s Cup race. That puts the spotlight squarely on execution, as drivers search for the right balance before one of the most demanding races of the regular season.
Following last weekend’s chaotic road-course race in San Diego, Sonoma provides another opportunity for the Cup Series’ top road racers to build momentum before the summer stretch of the schedule.
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