Driver Storylines

1. History in SMOKE and Mirrors

  • Tony Stewart (aka Smoke) is looking to become the first driver in history to win on Sonoma's road course and drag strip. Coming off his NASCAR win back in 2016, Stewart is looking to find a different verse of the same song when he comes back to wine country. 

2. Kalitta and Anderson Got 5 On It

  • Toyota driver Doug Kalitta returns for another go at Sonoma Raceway, hoping to notch his whopping 6th win at the drag strip in his career. Kalitta won the NHRA showdown in wine country five times from 1998-2005. After winning in Top Fuel in Las Vegas earlier this season, Kalitta's legendary skills will be on display when NHRA comes to Sonoma.
  • Not to be outdone, Pro Stock's Greg Anderson is also looking for his 6th win in Sonoma. The five-time world champion is still driven as ever, looking to add to his series-leading 105 career Pro Stock wins.

3. Turning The Todd

  • While Anderson and team owner Doug Kalitta go for six, former Funny Car Champion and Kalitta teammate J.R. Todd is looking for a record-tying 5th victory this year at Sonoma. 
  • Todd, the defending Funny Car winner at Sonoma, started off the season with a victory at Gainesville, and now hopes to build momentum at Sonoma leading up to the playoffs after an up and down season has put them 5th in points.

4. Jr. Dragsters Take on Sonoma Raceway Drag Strip

  • Jr. Dragsters, an NHRA-sanctioned league for kids 5-17, will take on the drag strip, showing their skills on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Drivers compete in a half-scale dragster, with a five-horsepower, single-cylinder engine that can go as fast as 85 mph and as quick as 7.90 seconds in an eighth-mile.

5. Steve Johnson 500th Start

  • The Pro Stock Motorcycle legend takes to Sonoma for his 500th career start at the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals.
  • Johnson is searching for his first career win at the track, looking to add to his 12 career wins throughout his tenured career.

6. Back-to-Back

  • In Top Fuel last year, Justin Ashley was able to nab his first career win at Sonoma Raceway. Ashley had nine prior wins before the Sonoma Nationals and his win in wine country put him into the double-digit mark for his career. 

7. Investing in Gaige Herrera's (Pro) Stock (Motorcycle)

  • The Pro Stock Motorcycle driver not only is looking to go back-to-back in Sonoma, but has been on a tear in 2024.
  • Herrera has won the last six Pro Stock Motorcycle events at Charlotte, Illinois, New England, Bristol, Virginia, and Norwalk.

Track Storylines

8. Newly Appointed VP/GM Brian Flynn Will Oversee First NHRA Event

  • New Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn, who took the helm on August 1, 2023, will oversee his first DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals event in his new position.

9. Same Surface, Different Dance

  • Sonoma Raceway is the only current track on the racing calendar where NHRA and road races have some shared common surface. From the exit of Turn 6 in the Carousel to the entry of Turn 7, these surfaces join in a rare crossover.

10. All-New Camping Spots

  • Midway, Turn 1, The Point and the Starting Line Campground – so many new campgrounds have been added in 2024 and they've all gone quick. Tickets for any remaining GEICO 50 Acres Campground spots can be found here.

11. Premium Suites Take on a New Location

  • Sonoma Raceway is excited to offer a new premium experience for NHRA weekend. The Nitro Club is making its debut in the luxury grandstand suites with a beautiful bird's eye view of all the action on the drag strip. Tickets can be purchased here.

Weekend passes for three full days of NHRA Drag Racing action, music and entertainment at Sonoma Raceway start at just $155. Single-day tickets are also available for adults starting at just $65 with kids 12 and under for only $25. Visit SonomaRaceway.com for complete details, schedules and ticket information. Call (800) 870-7223 [RACE] for ticket information.