Even though the Xfinity Series is off and the Camping World Truck Series is racing on the outskirts of St. Louis, that’s not keeping five Cup drivers from pulling double duty.
Alex Bowman, Erik Jones, Aric Almirola, William Byron and Daniel Suarez will compete in Saturday’s K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway, the Carneros 200.
The extra track time will be beneficial for a set of drivers who don’t have much experience on the road course.
Bowman has two Sonoma starts, but none since 2015. Both Suarez and Jones will make their second Cup starts on the track and Byron is making his first start.
MORE: Bowman, Suarez and others on what it takes to race on road courses
Almirola has six Sonoma starts, but he missed last year’s race due to a back injury.
Five of the last seven K&N West races at the road course have been won by current or former Cup drivers, with Kevin Harvick the latest last year.
Harvick was joined in the race by Suarez and Ryan Blaney. Suarez finished 11th.
Also entered into the 64-lap race are NASCAR Next drivers Will Rodgers, Hailie Deegan and Derek Kraus.