NASCAR Cup Series

Sonoma Stats: This weekend’s race will be McMurray’s 12th start at Sonoma Raceway. McMurray has completed 1,216 out of a possible 1,217 laps and has zero DNF’s (did not finish) at the track. He has one top-five and one top-10 finish.

Toyota drivers have won three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) events at Sonoma Raceway, including the last two by Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) drivers. In 2008, Camry driver Kyle Busch swept both road course races of the season with victories at California’s Sonoma Raceway and New York’s Watkins Glen International.

Coming off of his best NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cup Series (NSCS) finish at Michigan (MIS), Justin Allgaier will be making his first NSCS start at Sonoma Raceway. This weekend's race is the first of two road course races this season. Sonoma is also one of the few tracks Allgaier has never raced on before.

“Last year was my first time racing at Sonoma and I learned a few things that make me more confident going into this weekend. We have also done some road course testing this season because seat time is so valuable.

McDowell in "The Golden State" ... Although this weekend marks McDowell's first Sonoma Raceway appearance with Leavine Family Racing; the Glendale, Ariz., driver has made two other NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at the 2.52-mile road course. He earned a career-best 28th-place finish at the track in June 2008. McDowell also has one GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series start at the track, where he finished 10th in 2006.

1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson took the win at Michigan, snatching his third win in the last four races. It was his first win at Michigan, and he is now second in the points standings. “That’s right,” Johnson said. “My first win at Michigan. And that just goes to show that you can’t underestimate my greatness---in one race, I scored two ‘firsts.’

Jimmie Johnson is on his usual roll at the mid-point of the season, and with the success of other teams using Hendrick Motorsports engines and chassis, it has left the rest of the field in a tremendous funk. It also is not good for NASCAR because many fans of the sport find no fire for Johnson. Add to that his fellow competitors.

There's a chance: “Road-course racing, I’ve always thought, you can wring a bit more out of the car, whether it’s braking or how you use the curbs or the lines you choose,” said Allmendinger. “So, that’s why I enjoy it and that’s why I feel like we can come here and have a shot to do well. And, if we put ourselves in position to win the race, then that’s great."

Harvick’s No. 4 Chevrolet will feature a special patriotic paint scheme honoring the Folds of Honor Foundation in this weekend’s race. Founded in 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 fighter pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, the organization gives back to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in the line of duty through scholarships and other assistance.

Aric Almirola and the No. 43 Nathan's Famous team head west this week to Race Sonoma. Despite not being a road course specialist, Race Sonoma is a track Almirola enjoys. He and the team dialed in the No. 43 Nathan's Famous Ford recently at Carolina MotorSports Park with a day test at the road course.