Could this be the week that Stewart-Haas Racing comes out of their slump? They’ve only reached victory lane just three times over the last 12 months in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. But, Sonoma could be just what the doctor ordered. This is a completely different discipline than that for what we’ve raced with all season. Any past struggles through the first 15 races are irrelevant this weekend.

Also, In Sonoma, SHR has shined.

Kevin Harvick has four straight top six finishes on the northern California road course including a win in 2017 and a runner-up result just last year.

Aric Almirola has never been great on road courses but he finished eighth in his No. 10 Ford in last year’s race. Daniel Suarez was only 16th and 15th respectively with Joe Gibbs Racing but now that he’s with SHR, he has a shot. Clint Bowyer won this race in 2016, finished third last year and has five top 10 finishes in his last eight years.

This could be their opportunity to get their first win in 2019.

One team though that may struggled is that of Team Penske. Brad Keselowski has just one top five finish in nine career Sonoma starts. That came via a third place finish in 2017. His second best wine country finish is 10th.

Ryan Blaney has never finished in the top five in Sonoma and has a best result of ninth which also came in 2017 too. His other two finishes are 23rd (2016) and 34th (2018) respectively.

That leaves just Joey Logano who has two top five finishes in his career at Sonoma too. Both, have come in the last four years but half of his 10 career Sonoma starts have seen him finish 12th or worse.