After a wild and unforgettable weekend on the tight, unforgiving layout at Naval Base Coronado, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series doesn’t get much time to breathe. The tour stays planted on the West Coast, shifting from a temporary street course to one of the most iconic road‑racing venues in North America: Sonoma Raceway. Saturday’s PitBoss/FoodMaxx 250 at 5:30 p.m. ET on The CW, PRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio marks the 19th points‑paying race of the 2026 season, and the entry list rolling into wine country is as deep and competitive as anything we’ve seen this year.
Sonoma has always been a track that rewards rhythm, patience, and precision. With its 12‑turn, 2.52‑mile layout, elevation changes, and heavy braking zones, it’s a place where experience matters but raw talent can shine just as brightly. Last year’s winner, Connor Zilisch, returns to defend his victory, and he’ll do it while juggling double duty as one of three full‑time Cup Series drivers dropping into the O’Reilly field this weekend. Zilisch, Shane van Gisbergen, and Ross Chastain all bring Cup‑level racecraft into Saturday’s event, and their presence alone raises the competitive bar for the entire grid.
A total of 38 cars are entered, representing powerhouse organizations, rising development programs, and several independent teams that have made a habit of punching above their weight. Sonoma’s technical nature often compresses the field, and with so many drivers carrying road‑course backgrounds from sprint cars to sports cars to international touring series, the talent pool is as varied as it is deep.
JR Motorsports arrives with one of the strongest multi‑car lineups in the garage. Zilisch leads the group in the No. 1 Chevrolet, backed by veteran crew chief Rodney Childers. Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Shane van Gisbergen round out a four‑car effort that has already produced multiple wins this season. Van Gisbergen, a three‑time Supercars champion, has been one of the most naturally gifted road racers in the field since his NASCAR debut, and Sonoma’s flowing layout plays directly into his strengths.
Joe Gibbs Racing counters with a trio of young drivers who have been fast everywhere in 2026. William Sawalich, Brent Crews, and Brandon Jones bring a mix of youth and experience, and all three have shown the ability to qualify up front on road courses. Crews, at just 18 years old, continues to impress with his adaptability, while Sawalich’s precision and patience have made him one of the most consistent young drivers in the series.
Richard Childress Racing brings Jesse Love and Austin Hill, two drivers who have already proven they can muscle their way through traffic when the stakes rise. Hill, now in his early thirties, has become one of the most reliable closers in the series, and Sonoma’s late‑race restarts often reward drivers with his level of aggression and confidence.
Jordan Anderson Racing fields multiple entries again this weekend, including Ross Chastain in the No. 32 Chevrolet. Chastain’s road‑course résumé speaks for itself, and his ability to extract speed from any car he climbs into makes him a legitimate threat for the win. The team also brings Jeb Burton and Blaine Perkins, both of whom have shown steady improvement throughout the season.
Several independent teams round out the field, including Jeremy Clements Racing, Alpha Prime Racing, DGM Racing, and Joey Gase Motorsports. These organizations may not have the resources of the larger teams, but Sonoma has a way of leveling the playing field. Strategy, tire conservation, and track position often matter more than raw horsepower, and that opens the door for surprise performances.
With Cup drivers sharpening their skills, young stars eager to make a statement, and veterans looking to capitalize on experience, the PitBoss/FoodMaxx 250 has all the ingredients for one of the most compelling road‑course races of the year. Sonoma’s blend of technical corners, elevation changes, and high‑commitment braking zones always produces drama, and with 38 drivers chasing the same trophy, Saturday’s race promises to deliver another chapter in what has already been a standout season for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Sonoma Raceway
PitBoss/FoodMaxx 250: Full Entry List
(i) indicates any driver ineligible for earning season and/or playoff points
- 1. Sheldon Creed — No. 00 — Haas Factory Team
- 2. Alex Labbe — No. 0 — SS GreenLight Racing
- 3. Connor Zilisch (i) — No. 1 — JR Motorsports
- 4. Jesse Love — No. 2 — Richard Childress Racing
- 5. Ryan Ellis — No. 02 — Young’s Motorsports
- 6. Justin Allgaier — No. 7 — JR Motorsports
- 7. Josh Bilicki — No. 07 — SS GreenLight Racing
- 8. Sammy Smith — No. 8 — JR Motorsports
- 9. Shane van Gisbergen (i) — No. 9 — JR Motorsports
- 10. Corey Day — No. 17 — Hendrick Motorsports
- 11. William Sawalich — No. 18 — Joe Gibbs Racing
- 12. Brent Crews — No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
- 13. Brandon Jones — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
- 14. Austin Hill — No. 21 — Richard Childress Racing
- 15. Harrison Burton — No. 24 — Sam Hunt Racing
- 16. Dean Thompson — No. 26 — Sam Hunt Racing
- 17. Jeb Burton — No. 27 — Jordan Anderson Racing
- 18. Kyle Sieg — No. 28 — RSS Racing
- 19. Blaine Perkins — No. 31 — Jordan Anderson Racing
- 20. Ross Chastain (i) — No. 32 — Jordan Anderson Racing
- 21. Dawson Cram — No. 35 — Joey Gase Motorsports
- 22. Ryan Sieg — No. 39 — RSS Racing
- 23. Sam Mayer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
- 24. Will Rodgers — No. 42 — Young’s Motorsports
- 25. Brennan Poole — No. 44 — Alpha Prime Racing
- 26. Lavar Scott — No. 45 — Alpha Prime Racing
- 27. Patrick Staropoli — No. 48 — Big Machine Racing
- 28. Jeremy Clements — No. 51 — Jeremy Clements Racing
- 29. TBD (i) — No. 53 — Joey Gase Motorsports
- 30. Taylor Gray — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
- 31. Brad Perez — No. 55 — Joey Gase Motorsports
- 32. Leland Honeyman (i) — No. 71 — DGM Racing X JIM
- 33. Austin Green — No.87 — Peterson Racing Group
- 34. Rajah Caruth — No. 88 — JR Motorsports
- 35. Carson Kvapil — No. 91 — DGM Racing X JIM
- 36. Leland Honeyman (i) — No. 92 — DGM Racing X JIM
- 37. Anthony Alfredo — No. 96 — Viking Motorsports
- 38. Parker Retzlaff — No. 99 — Viking Motorsports
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