NASCAR’s ‘West Coast Gem’ Sonoma Announces Massive Repave Plans With Promise to Retain “Seasoned Feel”

It’s been a long haul – 23 years, to be exact – since California’s most bustling racing track saw a full-scale repave. Despite being a hive of activity for over 300+ days a year, it’s only now gearing up for a complete refurbishment, just in time for the June 2024 Cup race.

The baton for this major revamp has been passed to Bay Cities Paving & Grading from Concord, California. They’re not just going to spruce up the road course, where NASCAR has zoomed over through the years, but they are also giving a fresh coat to the infield drag strip, a hotspot for NHRA showdowns.

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Speedway Motorsports dropped this bombshell. The makeover isn’t just a repavement, it’s a game-changer aimed at ramping up driver performance and turning up the heat on the racing action. The change cements Sonoma’s rep as a top-tier haunt for motorsports buffs.

Brian Flynn, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway, shed light on the broader vision behind this spruce-up. “While our headline event is the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, our raceway is used by car clubs, automotive enthusiasts, corporate clients, and manufacturers on a daily basis. It’s important that we continue to upgrade this first-class facility for everyone who comes to Sonoma Raceway.” Flynn’s excitement was palpable as he talked up the project’s local roots.

Even the senior vice president of operations and development, at Speedway Motorsports, Steve Swift, talked about the repavement project, saying, “The materials being used allow us to offer a track with a seasoned feel for the drivers. This means competition should be exciting right off the bat in 2024.”

Since its debut in December 1968, Sonoma Raceway has carved out a niche as a legendary track, playing host to the crème de la crème of racing series and drivers. Today, it stands as a West Coast gem in the crowns of NASCAR and NHRA, hosting events like the Velocity Invitational, GT World Challenge, and Ferrari Challenge.

But the speedway isn’t just laying new asphalt on the track. In the run-up to next summer’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, they’re rolling out the red carpet with three brand-new campgrounds. Fans can set up their home base at the Turn 1 Campground, the Trackside Turns 3 & 4 Campgrounds, or the expanded Turn 7 Campground, all ready to immerse them in the heart of the racing frenzy.

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Yet, Sonoma isn’t the only track getting a fresh layer of asphalt. As the 2024 Cup season gears up, NASCAR’s paving plans extend beyond just this historic venue.

It’s time for a fresh coat of asphalt on some of NASCAR’s iconic tracks

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Richmond Raceway is way overdue for some care, with its last repavement dating back to 2004. Lately, the races there haven’t exactly been crowd-pleasers. The track’s surface is so worn and slick that it’s more of a hindrance than a help to the racing spectacle. While some point fingers at the short track package of the Next-Gen car, the fact remains that even the Gen-6’s final laps here didn’t wow the crowds. Grumbles aside, it might be high time for Richmond to either get a fresh pave or even a whole new look.

Over at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, they did a bit of spit and polish in 2018, calling it “routine maintenance” on a surface last updated in 2004. Boles had estimated another 3-5 years for the track then, but with Roger Penske now at the helm since 2019, the clock might be ticking faster. The potential return of the Brickyard 400 could be the ultimate test for this aging track.

Homestead-Miami Speedway has been rolling on the same surface since 2003. While a makeover might not be on the immediate horizon, it’s definitely in the cards. The silver lining? Its variable banking means that even with a new surface, the track will retain its unique character and offer multiple racing lines right out of the gate.

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Last but not least, Dover International Speedway has been rocking its concrete coat since the mid-90s. Being one of only three concrete tracks, it’s as sturdy as they come. But even with concrete’s longevity, don’t be surprised if Dover decides to freshen up its look in the near future.