NASCAR Cup Series

While the actual race at Sonoma Raceway is of importance, it's not the only thing going on this weekend for the stars of the Sprint Cup Series. El Cajon, California native Jimmie Johnson is back in his home state and enjoying every bit of it.

Los Gatos, California native A.J. Allmendinger missed the trip to Sonoma Raceway as he didn't have a full Sprint Cup Series ride last season.

“It’s been a little while since we won out here, so I feel like you constantly always have to challenge yourself, and just push the limits of your car. Yet, here at Sonoma, you have to be very careful not to overdrive it of course as well. Same ingredients apply; a great race car always helps.

“It’s been a really tough season. It’s been a lot of tough luck and a lot of things that just keep happening. You wonder what’s going to happen next. So it’s been a tough season. But through it all, I feel like the team has done a really good job of staying positive, working on race cars and focusing on the things we have learned to try to get better.

"I value the consistency more than I do having a couple top 3 finishes and then running 20th the next week. So, I do. I feel a lot better about where we’re going right now and the direction across the board; our cars are getting more consistent with all four teams. That’s really what I’m basing how we are as a company right now and I think it translates to each individual team, as well.”

“There’s always pressure in this sport, it doesn’t matter what race you go back to, and especially a race you’ve had success at lately. It’s just a fun weekend. I think that’s the key to success we’ve had with my group and the 5-hour ENERGY Toyota is you just got to take this almost as a vacation.

“It is always good to come back to Sonoma. I missed it last year for a good reason, I was winning at Road America (Wisconsin – NASCAR Nationwide Series), so we will just put that out there (laughs). I missed being here. Being a home race for me, it is nice to see my family, and some friends and all that.

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion, is virtually assured of a Chase berth with two victories so far this season. Logano spoke with members of the media before today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice about Sunday’s race at Sonoma Raceway.

“This track is way different than anything we run on because of the elevation changes and then how narrow the course is. Our cars are so big and heavy we need a lot of real estate to slide our vehicles around. It makes a huge challenge and at the end of the day the tires take all the abuse and that is really the magic around here.

“I always look forward to coming out here. First off, it’s a really pretty environment to be at and it’s also maybe one of the more comfortable tracks for me on the circuit. I came here and tested in 2003 and it’s just been a great place for me. I’ve qualified exceptionally well here. I think I finished second here once.