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Five Cup drivers enter Sonoma K&N West race for more track time

Several Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will be performing double duty this weekend at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Hertz and Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Axalta

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Hertz and Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Axalta

Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Daniel Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry ARRIS
Erik Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry DeWalt and Daniel Suarez, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry ARRIS
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro AXALTA and Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Nationwide
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Liberty University, Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Nationwide
Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Smithfield
Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Smithfield
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
A.J. Allmendinger, JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet, Chris Buescher, JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet, Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

At least five Cup drivers – all but one of them in their first year with their respective teams – will compete in Saturday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma.

It’s not unusual for one or two Cup drivers to enter the event, typically for experience, but the driver count this year is especially high.

Past West race winners include Brian Vickers (2006), Joey Logano (2011), Kyle Larson (2014), Chase Elliott (2016) and Kevin Harvick (2017).

Entered in the race are Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez from Joe Gibbs Racing, Alex Bowman and William Byron from Hendrick Motorsports and Aric Almirola from Stewart-Haas Racing. All but Byron has previously competed in a Cup car at Sonoma.

Bowman will be driving in a car prepared by Bill McAnally Racing, while Byron will be with Jefferson Pitts Racing. DGR-Crosley will field cars for Jones and Suarez. Almirola is entered in a car owned by his Cup team co-owner, Tony Stewart.

“I ran the K&N race there three years ago and finished fifth. The biggest thing was just trying to save your tires over the course of the race – you only had one set of tires, so it really teaches you some discipline there,” Byron said.

“It’s a good opportunity to get your rhythm down. Sonoma is obviously a pretty physical track, so you’ve got to be prepared for that when you’re running both races.

“But, it’s more track time and it gives me a better chance to be closer when I get to the Cup race because that’s probably going to be one of the hardest races of the year for me.”

Bowman hopes the experience will help him obtain a better outcome in the road course event.

“I’m not really sure whether or not I like road course racing. I’ve never been able to go to a road course and race in a good car,” Bowman said. 

“We will have to wait and see when we unload on Friday. I think this No. 88 Axalta team can be pretty solid this weekend.”

Derek Thorn leads the West series standings while NASCAR Next member Will Rodgers will be looking for his fourth consecutive K&N road course win. Last weekend Rodgers repeated his K&N East victory of a year ago at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

 

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