NASCAR Cup Series

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 DC SOLAR CAMARO ZL1, met with members of the media at Sonoma Raceway and discussed NASCAR’s decision not to run the All-Star package at other tracks in 2018, what he likes about road course racing, the importance of grassroot racing in motorsports and many other topics. Full Transcript:

It’s back to the left coast for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. The first stop is the Sonoma road course on Sunday. It’s a race where so-called road racing experts don’t mean much anymore, Oh, there were be some, but the regulars have gained the skill to win these races with their superior machinery.

For someone preparing to compete on a twisting road course, Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr.’s toss across home plate was straight and true.

Roush Fenway Racing heads West this weekend as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) visits its first of two road courses, Sonoma Raceway for a Sunday afternoon showdown in the valley. RFR has visited victory lane three times, including twice in the Cup series across NASCAR’s three major touring series.

Making wishes come true is a big part of what The Dale Jr. Foundation is built on, and the latest chapter in a book filled with wishes will benefit Make-A-Wish® Central & Western North Carolina. The Dale Jr. Foundation announced today a commitment of $500,000 to Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina to help build and name the Wish Room in its soon-to-be-permanent home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season resumes this weekend at Sonoma Raceway with Ford looking to extend its manufacturer-leading win total. Clint Bowyer’s victory at Michigan two weeks ago gives Ford eight wins on the year and a victory on Sunday would mark the first time since 1997 that the Blue Oval had nine victories or more after the first 16 events. Kevin Harvick is the defending champion after taking the checkered flag last season.

Trevor Bayne will make his fourth MENCS start at Sonoma on Sunday and seventh overall start at a road course on the Cup circuit.

When the checkered flag waves on the 60th Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, July 7, Daytona International Speedway will light up the sky above the 2.5-mile tri-oval with one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is headed to their first road course of the season this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Matt DiBenedetto will be making his fourth start at the 1.99-mile raceway that includes 12 turns and features over 160 feet of elevation changes. Sonoma is a home-race for driver Matt DiBenedetto who grew up in Grass Valley, California, just a few hours south of the raceway and he'll look to impress a new team partner at his home-track.

Chase Elliott on success at Sonoma last season: “Yeah, I thought the first year was a struggle and I thought we picked up a lot on that from the first year to last season. I felt like we put ourselves behind a little bit, we crashed in practice, so ended up having to get a backup car out there last year. Hopefully we can keep our primary this season – I think that’s worth some time and worth some spots. Looking forward to getting back. I’ve always loved road racing and hope that it goes another step better this trip.”