SONOMA, Calif. (April 16, 2019) - Sonoma Raceway will get back to "The Point" during this year's Toyota/Save Mart 350, as the Sonoma Valley facility unveils a new fan viewing area for NASCAR's return to the Carousel.

The raceway announced late last year that NASCAR would return to the original, 12-turn road course, including the famed Carousel, for this year's Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 21-23, as part of the facility's year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

To allow fans to fully enjoy the intensity of this challenging turn, the raceway has rebranded the peninsula between Turns 1 and 6 as "The Point." This unique fan environment offers the up-close views of both corners, as well as a direct perspective of the start/finish line and flag stand.

The Point will be upgraded with a 1,550-square-foot Humboldt Redwood shade structure, more than 700 feet of stand-up bars along the fence line and new food and beverage locations. Access to the area is free to all fans, and terrace seating is available on the hillside adjacent to Turn 1.

"With all the twists and turns of the Sonoma Raceway road course, every fan has their own opinion of the best place to watch the races," said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president and general manager. "The Point adds one more terrific viewing option; not to mention a fun place to hang out."

The Carousel, which plunges from Turn 4 down through Turns 5 and 6 before dropping onto the raceway's longest straightaway into the Turn 7 hairpin, has been the site of many memorable moments in the raceway's history, including Dale Earnhardt's critical pass of Mark Martin in 1995 en route to the Intimidator's first-ever NASCAR road-course victory.

The Point joins a number of other popular fan viewing areas added around the road course over the last few years. Most recently, the raceway added The RevZone above Turn 7, which features a 200-foot standup bar, shade tent with picnic tables and permanent restrooms. Grill Gardens above Turns 2 and 9 feature redwood arbors from the Humboldt Redwood Company, as well as a place to relax and enjoy a bite to eat.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 21-23.