This weekend, Sonoma Raceway is set to deliver one of the most demanding challenges of the NASCAR calendar—a test even for the most accomplished drivers. Chris Buescher, reflecting on the Chris Buescher Sonoma Raceway challenge, shared his reasons why this historic California track stands apart and what makes it such a true trial for everyone in the field.
A Track That Pushes Every Driver
As NASCAR moves through a stretch packed with road courses, Sonoma Raceway is quickly proving itself as more than just another stop. While debates continue over the growing presence of these circuits, Buescher emphasized that Sonoma’s formidable features go beyond anything the other tracks offer. Its hilly terrain, with over 150 feet of elevation change, sets it apart from the flatter layouts found elsewhere.
Buescher contrasted the unique experience of racing at Sonoma compared to other venues, referencing the recent Xfinity Series duel between Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch. The heightened spectacle of that race underscored the challenge, but Buescher argued that the modern Next Gen car introduces additional complexity not easy to simulate in practice or on a computer.
No amount of simulator time could prep you for Sonoma. To come off a course last week where I feel like we had about 8ft of elevation change throughout the entire thing, to a place that we have over 150 here, or something, 160. It’s huge, right?
—Chris Buescher, NASCAR Driver
Why Simulators Aren’t Enough
Buescher pointed out that although technology has given drivers new ways to prepare, simulators simply cannot replicate the gut instincts required to handle Sonoma’s blind corners and repeatedly changing elevations. Drivers must learn, lap by lap, how to trust the car through unpredictable sections, relying on experience more than any bookkeeping from virtual races.
“You come in, you have to learn what that looks like and how it affects putting power down and plan on blind corners, not because it’s a street course and there’s a wall there.”
Buescher illustrated that blind spots aren’t manufactured by track barriers but by the natural hills that make each turn a guesswork exercise.
It’s ’cause it’s a rolling hill and you have no clue what’s on the other side. It’s a trust factor. It takes laps to know where you’re at and where you’re pointed. And yeah, it’s a challenging race.
—Chris Buescher, NASCAR Driver
Differences in the Next Gen Era
This new era of Cup Series racing, especially with the Next Gen car, forces drivers to rethink everything, from how they approach the famous Sonoma curbs to the rhythm of the course. According to Buescher, aggressiveness on curbing is much less than in previous years, as the new vehicles behave differently on the demanding track. He noted that drivers once aired out over curbs far more than they attempt now, before evolving vehicle technology demanded smarter risk-taking.
Personal Strengths and High Stakes
Despite every unpredictable feature, Buescher is confident in taking on Sonoma. He appreciates how the course doesn’t rely on repetitive right angles but instead includes tight rhythm sections that flow in a way only this track can offer. The mix of physical endurance and strategic thinking is what, to him, gives Sonoma its unmatched character—and why he continually rises to its challenge. The mention of Cody Ware’s recent crash further highlights the dangers present, even as drivers continue to hone their strengths on such a tough course.
“That impact was massive” –@Chris_Buescher glad that Cody Ware is OK after the hard head-on crash in the tires at Chicago.
He also talks about the number of road courses on the schedule and his strengths at Sonoma. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/S9RcP9YL2n
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) July 12, 2025
A Test That Defines the Season
Each time NASCAR returns to Sonoma Raceway, competitors expect the unexpected—from evolving car setups to the unpredictable turns of California’s hills. Chris Buescher’s insight reveals why even in a season packed with road courses, this particular circuit remains the ultimate threshold for skill and courage. As drivers continue to challenge themselves against its steep rises and technical sections, Sonoma’s reputation for exposing champions is sure to persist.
