Nothing can top that amazing finish we witnessed in Colorado … right?
Well, this weekend in Sonoma may give it a run for it’s money. The largest car count of the season by a wide margin, a handful of national series drivers participating as well as running the carousel and original 12-turn layout for the first time since 1997.
Oh, did we mention it’s wine country? Yeah, this race is bound to be a doozy.
PROCORE 200 AT SONOMA RACEWAY
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Sonoma always brings out the stars, and 2019 will be no different.
National series drivers Daniel Hemric, Ryan Preece, Austin Dillon, Noah Gragson and Cole Custer will all be competing, carrying on the trend of bigger name drivers coming down to garner seat and track time and race with the K&N Pro Series West.
RELATED: National Series Drivers To Gain Road-Course Experience In K&N West Race At Sonoma
Along with them, Will Rodgers will be making his return to the K&N Pro Series in hopes of defending his 2018 Sonoma victory. He’ll be doing so for Levin Racing, an unproven team on road courses with whom Rodgers has never driven for.
A new layout at Sonoma has been a major talking point leading into the race weekend. For the first time since 1997, “The Carousel”will be utilized, returning the track to its original 2.52-mile layout.
With the large car count, more points become available for the taking. That also means more points become available to lose.
For the aforementioned drivers that are racing in Sonoma as a one-off, they couldn’t care less. It’s win or go home for them. But for the K&N West regulars who are competing for the championship, this may be the most important race of the season.
Numbers wise, this race could pay double points wise what a typical K&N West race has this season. In The first five races, the average car count has been 18. This weekend, there will be over 30.
Derek Kraus holds a 12-point advantage over his Bill McAnally Racing teammate Hailie Deegan, with Sunrise Ford’s Jagger Jones and Trevor Huddleston not far behind. If those drivers, as well as Brittney Zamora, Kody Vanderwal, Matt Levin, Todd Souza and the other series regulars can escape Sonoma unscathed, its a huge win. If not, it’s an uphill climb for the remainder of 2019.
Let’s address the elephant in the room … the finish at Colorado between teammates. Deegan enters Sonoma a two-time winner in 2019, as does Kraus. Last season, Deegan qualified third and finished seventh in her first start, while Kraus has finishes of fifth and 10th in his two trips. Will we see revenge served? Time will tell.
RACE FACTS
| RACE | PROCORE 200 |
|---|---|
| PLACE | Sonoma Raceway |
| DATE | Saturday, June 22, 2019 |
| TIME | 1:30 p.m. PDT |
| TELEVISION | FansChoice.TV (live), 1:30 p.m. PDT; NBCSN — Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m. EDT |
| TRACK LAYOUT | 2.52-mile paved road course |
| 2018 WINNER | Will Rodgers |
| 2018 POLE | Will Rodgers |
| EVENT SCHEDULE | FRIDAY: Garage opens: 9:45 a.m. PDT; Final practice: 1:05-2:25 p.m.; Driver autograph session: 3-3:45 p.m.;Â SATURDAY: Group qualifying: 11 a.m. PDT; Driver introductions: 1 p.m.;Â Procore 200: 1:30 p.m. |
| @RaceSonoma | |
| HASHTAG | #Procore200, #KNWEST |
CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: The starting field for the Procore 200 is limited to 36 starters, including provisional positions. The first 32 drivers will secure starting positions based on road race style group qualifying for the Procore 200. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process.
Qualifying groups will be determined by each vehicle‘s best overall lap time from the practice session(s). Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle enters the track to begin the qualifying session. Unless directed to do so by a NASCAR Official or in the event of a full course caution, after entering the track, if a vehicle then returns to pit road, the vehicle may not return to the track, make any further qualifying laps and the vehicle‘s qualifying attempt is complete. All vehicles must proceed directly to the designated impound area once it enters pit road. In the event of a full-course caution, vehicles that exit the track must proceed directly to the re-entry area of pit road and stop out next to the outside pit wall. No adjustments or repairs may be made to any vehicle on pit lane at re-entry during a full course caution. What constitutes an attempt to qualify shall be at the discretion of the Series Director. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time.
Vehicles will be impounded after qualifying. Vehicles must qualify on race set up. After qualifying all vehicles will proceed immediately to the impound area. Only minor adjustments will be permitted following qualifying (i.e. air pressure checked, tape removed). NASCAR Officials must oversee and authorize any and all work being done to the vehicles during this time period.
For all road course events, all cars must be equipped (as designated on the Official Entry Blank for the event), at all times for wet weather conditions during practice, qualifying, and the race.
In the event of rain or wet track conditions, and at the discretion of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Director, practice, qualifying and/or the race may start or continue under those conditions. In wet conditions, and at the discretion of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Director, competitors may be required to equip their cars with wet condition tires as specified by General Tire. All cars must be equipped at all times with a functional defogger and a rear window flashing light part #40R00FRN and should be equipped with a functional windshield wiper motor. The rear window flashing light must be illuminated during wet conditions and must be mounted inside the rear window on the rear window centerline at the roof/rear window intersection. NASCAR Officials must approve all rear taillight mounting and its location.
The Procore 200Â will be 50 laps (126 miles) and is to be run in two (2) segments with one scheduled break at or near the conclusion of Lap 25.
The maximum tire allotment available for this event is as follows: Four (4) tires for practice, four (4) tires for qualifying and to begin the race and four (4) additional tires for use during the break for a total of twelve (12) tires.
A team representative must designate qualifying and race tires to NASCAR Officials at the designated time. Teams will be allowed to bring one (1) set of tires from home to register for practice session(s). Tires must be proper code and registered with NASCAR Officials prior to the beginning of the practice sessions.
MEDIA CENTER:
NASCAR.com: Jefferson Pitts Racing Swinging Big In Sonoma
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Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Sonoma Raceway notes: Next stop for NASCAR is Wine Country
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SPEEDSportsNews.com: Derek Kraus Scores In Trans-Am Debut
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