Save Mart Supermarkets 300
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| Venue | Sonoma Raceway |
|---|---|
| Location | Sonoma, California, United States |
| Corporate sponsor |
Toyota Save Mart |
| First race | 1989 |
| Distance | 218.9 miles (352.3 km) |
| Laps | 110 (Stage 1: 25 Stage 2: 25 Stage 3: 60) |
| Previous names |
Banquet Frozen Foods 300 (1989–1991) Save Mart 300K (1992) Save Mart Supermarkets 300K (1993) Save Mart Supermarkets 300 (1994–1997) Save Mart/Kragen 350 (1998–2000) Dodge/Save Mart 350 (2001–2006) Toyota/Save Mart 350 (2007–present) |
| Most wins (driver) | Jeff Gordon (5) |
| Most wins (team) | Hendrick Motorsports (6) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Chevrolet (11) |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.99 mi (3.20 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
The Toyota/Save Mart 350 is a 218.9-mile (352.3 km) Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event held annually at Sonoma Raceway at Sears Point in Sonoma, California, This race is one of two NASCAR Cup Series road course events (the other being Watkins Glen), the 220.5-mile (354.9 km) race.
The race joined the NASCAR circuit in 1989. It was added as a replacement for the Budweiser 400 at Riverside, which closed in 1988. The race has undergone several name and length changes since its inception. The NASCAR "West Series" held a combination race from 1989 to 1997 and has held a standalone race since 2006. Due to the track's unique layout, the race generates annual discussion, with media, fans, and participants both in favor and against racing this event. Due to its unique layout, "road course ringers" are common, a NASCAR term standing for drivers that appear on the NASCAR circuit only for the road course races.
From 1989–1997, NASCAR utilized the full 2.52 miles (4.06 km) road course, best known for sports car racing. Subtle changes to some of the turns accommodated the stock cars, and increased passing widths. Ricky Rudd won the inaugural Cup race at Sonoma.
In the 1991 race Sonoma became famous. With 7 laps left in the race Mark Martin tried to pass Tommy Kendall, subbing for an injured Kyle Petty. The two made contact resulting in Martin crashing into the wall-of-tires on a pull-over site and Tommy Kendall cutting his tire. The lead went to Davey Allison. Then with 2 laps left the pole-sitter Ricky Rudd passed Allison for the lead but Allison spun out from contact in the final turn. Ricky Rudd led to the white flag and was contending to win the race, his second Sonoma victory, and to advance his championship points to the lead. However, as he came around to take the win Rudd was black-flagged just 3 feet from the finish line. Davey Allison was declared the winner of the race with Rudd's controversial penalty. Rudd finished in second spot.
The last Sonoma NASCAR race held at the previous road course passage was in 1997 on October 5 at a Truck series event. There Joe Ruttman won the race but controversy erupted when Rich Bickle blamed a loss of a top-ten finish on rookie Boris Said. Rich Bickle cut down Boris' tire and in reply Boris Said waited for Bickle to come back around and crashed him. NASCAR after a brief red flag for a massive crash in a wall of tires, disqualified Said and fined him $10,000 for his actions.
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