SONOMA, Calif. (KTXL) – Sonoma Raceway is preparing for the 2024 Toyota/Save Mart 350 in June.
It repaved its course for the first time in 23 years, repairing cracks and placing a whole new asphalt down to enhance the racing surface.
“The repave is super gripped up,” said Ross Chastain. “We’re north of 2.5 seconds faster than the track record. We kept going faster throughout the day as we got rubber into the track. It was just about me chasing the grip, because there was so much new asphalt.”
Chastain was one of three drivers who worked closely with Goodyear officials to identify the ideal compound for cup teams to use for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 this summer.
“Car feels pretty good and I’m helping Goodyear try to pick a tire for the year,” said Martin Truex Jr, the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of last year’s Toyota/Save Mart 350. “And, obviously, when we come back it’s going to be a lot hotter so it’s going to be different but always fun to get a little jump on the competition on a repave.”
In addition to the Toyota/Save Mart 350, the jam-packed June 7-9 NASCAR race weekend will include the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, June 8 at 5 p.m. PT and the ARCA Menards Series West General Tire 200 race on Friday, June 7 at 3:30 p.m. PT.
“It’s a track that I’ve enjoyed over the years,” said Truex Jr. “I’ve figured out the technique to get around this place, and the old pavement and tire wear was part of the magic we found and what I was comfortable with. So this is a whole new ballgame with the new pavement.
“We’ll have to approach it a little different, but still the same track and same lines…hopefully we’ll pick out a good tire and get to work on making the car even faster.”
Vanessa Romo
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