A Preview to the NASCAR Championship

With the conclusion of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season rapidly approaching, four drivers have officially clinched their spot in the "Championship 4" at Phoenix Raceway - Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson. As fans prepare for the final Championship showdown in the Arizona desert, Sonoma Raceway is already looking ahead to the NASCAR Cup Series' return to Wine Country on June 26-28, 2026.

We've previewed the finale on November 2 and shared our top reasons to visit Sonoma next year.

Denny Hamlin
Hamlin was the first remaining playoff driver to punch his ticket to Phoenix. Starting from the pole in the No. 11 Toyota, he stayed composed through a chaotic race filled with late-stage incidents and secured his spot in the Championship 4. The win not only intensified Hamlin's pursuit of a long-awaited first Cup Series championship but also marked his 60th career victory, tying him with champion Kevin Harvick on the all-time wins list.

2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of his epic, last-lap battle with Tony Stewart, ultimately pushing Hamlin into second place. With several top 10 finishes and still chasing a win, next year could be the year Hamlin finally gets to taste victory in wine country.

Chase Briscoe
New to the Joe Gibbs Racing team, Briscoe has seen significant success in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. With 19 top-10 finishes and 3 wins, Briscoe has made a strong case as a contender in Phoenix. After his most recent trip to victory lane at Talladega, he joins teammate Denny Hamlin in a quest for his first Cup Series Championship.

While he hasn't gotten to celebrate a win with Sonoma's finest, he has come close and is certainly one to watch after a second-place finish this past year.

William Byron
The clock struck Championship 4 for Byron at Martinsville Speedway, sending him to Phoenix for the third consecutive time with Hendrick Motorsports. After an exhilarating back-to-back Daytona 500 win to start the season, William is looking to bookend his season with a fourth win in Phoenix and secure his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Although Byron has yet to etch his name in Sonoma's history books, with two top 10 finishes in the last five races, he is undoubtedly one to watch going into 2026.

Kyle Larson
After finishing second at Las Vegas and running out of gas on the last lap at Talladega, things were not looking great for the No. 5 team going into Martinsville. However, with a 5^th place finish, Larson was able to secure the final spot in the Championship 4 on points. With one championship already under his belt, Kyle is looking to double up in Phoenix and capture his second NASCAR Cup Series title.

Larson has continued to make his mark in Wine Country, boasting five pole awards and two wins. Despite facing strong competition from now full-time Chevy teammate Shane Van Gisbergen, he remains the one to watch as he looks to continue his home-track dominance heading into 2026.


The NASCAR Xfinity Series also saw NASCAR's rising stars battle it out to make up another incredible Championship 4 - including Jesse Love, Carson Kvapil, regular season champion Connor Zilisch, and defending NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Justin Allgaier. Don't miss them in 2026 as they take on Sonoma for the fourth-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series race in wine country on June 27.

NASCAR's 2026 Sonoma race is sure to draw excitement as fans can witness top drivers navigate the twists and turns of the renowned racetrack, adding yet another must-see event to their calendars.

Get your tickets now for NASCAR weekend at Sonoma Raceway, June 26-28, 2026, at SonomaRaceway.com and don't miss your chance to see stars like Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron and Kyle Larson in action. The competition is heating up, and Sonoma will be ready to host another historic weekend of NASCAR racing.