Clements’ determination to succeed in the face of what sometimes seems like insurmountable odds has made him a fan favorite. The engines in his cars are not the most current and the team often has to cut corners when it comes to new tires, parts and equipment. Some might call him an underdog but for many he is “The Fan’s Man.”
1. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson, winner of three of the last four races, posted a seventh at Sonoma, his 11th top 10 of the year. He is second in the points standings, 20 behind Jeff Gordon.
It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Interesting race, a few surprises, great topography and scenery, and top notch announcing. What was not to like?
“It means a lot to me,” Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, said. “And then the real special part to me was to stand in Victory Lane at Sonoma and have Jeff Gordon come and give me a handshake as the second place finisher means a lot.”
Carl Edwards won his first road course in Sonoma, California Sunday. He ended a five race Hendrick Motorsports win streak that started in Kansas. Edwards took the lead from Marcos Ambrose with 25 laps to go and never looked back.
Brendan Gaughan survived two early incidents and a race track dampened by rain for most of the second half as cars drove on rain tires to win the Gardner Denver 200 Fired Up By Johnsonville at Road America.
Jamie McMurray won his second consecutive pole at Sonoma Raceway after a final run in the closing minutes of Knockout Qualifying with a track record qualifying speed of 96.350 mph. This is his third pole at Sonoma and his tenth series career pole.
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.
There is no doubt about it; winning is big in the Cup series this year. Race enough to be deemed a regular, sit among the top 30 in points, and a win pretty much gives one a pass to the promised land. It is exciting and has that all-important unpredictability factor we love.
Jesse Love Proves Patience is Key, Rallying for a Third-Place Finish with the No. 2 Samsara Chevrolet at Talladega Superspeedway to Maintain Points Lead
The two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion from Johnston, Iowa, reeled in, slingshotted and outdueled teammate Carson Kvapil on the final lap to snatch his first elusive O'Reilly victory of the 2026 season and his second national touring series victory of this weekend at Talladega.
Dean Thompson delivered an incredible save mid-race and recovered to finish eighth to lead Toyota in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday afternoon.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe was made available to the media on Saturday after willing the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
The two-time Southern 500 champion from Mitchell, Indiana, clocked in a pole-winning lap at 186.065 mph in 51.466 seconds for his first Cup pole of the 2026 season and the 10th of his career at Talladega.
