Sunday at the Sonoma Raceway in California Wine country, Daniel Suárez got to taste sweet victory for the first time in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 was a clear race for the most part. There was a caution early for fluid on the track when the engine in the #23 car blew up. There was a caution late in the race for debris on the track. Other than that, the only two caution periods were at the ends of the first two stages of the race.

Kyle Larson was the winner in stage one and Joey Logano was the winner in stage two.

Race strategy took Larson out of contention for the win after stage one. However, it allowed Daniel Suárez to be up front for a race high 47 laps. What was most important was it put him out front on that final re-start of the race after that late race caution.

Suárez was able to race out to the lead. He was then able to hang on to that lead through the final laps of the race. In fact, he was able to stretch his lead out to more than five seconds as the laps dwindled down. Daniel crossed the finish line first to claim his first ever win in the NASCAR Cup Series. That also means both of the Team Trackhouse cars should be a part of the NASCAR Playoffs.

I say “should” because Suárez is also the 12th different winner in the Cup Series in 2022. There are 10 more races remaining in the regular season. If there are more than four new winners for the season during those races, drivers with a win will NOT make the post-season since on 16 drivers become Playoff drivers. This season that seems to be a very real possibility although it has not happened since the advent of this format of racing.

Chris Buescher finished second at Sonoma. Michael McDowell claimed third-place. Kevin Harvick finished fourth with Austin Cindric rounding out the top five. See the complete race results for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway here.

Chase Elliott left Sonoma as the leader in the point standings. Ross Chastain sits in second. Kyle Busch holds third-place. Ryan Blaney is in fourth with Joey Logano in fifth-place. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings here.

Next up for the NASCAR Cup Series is a weekend off. They then head to Music City USA for the Ally 400 at Nashville Speedway Sunday, June 26th.

By: Buck Stevens