Sonoma Raceway notebook: Amateur drivers get their chance

Hooked on Driving will be hosting a non-competitive track day for intermediate and advanced race car drivers Friday at Sonoma Raceway.

Drivers looking to take their vehicles on course will need certification from a recognized group or Hooked on Driving before they can race on the track and will also need membership with the group to race on Friday.

For information on what is required to race, class divisions open for entry and other fees associated with the track day, visit hookedondriving.com.

BRACKET DRAGS

Sonoma Raceway will host Bracket Drags on Saturday and Sunday. These drag races attract competitive racers, with cash prizes up to $1,000 in certain divisions.

Racing goes on from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fees range $25-$60, and spectators can watch for $15. For more information, visit the race track's website at SonomaRaceway.com.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

The Wednesday Night Drags program runs almost every Wednesday of the year. Now in its 29th year, the program takes place until Nov. 8. Fans can race their vehicles down the quarter-mile drag strip in a controlled environment away from city streets. Gates open at 3 p.m. with racing from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Competitors must have a driver's license to compete, cars must pass a technical inspection and vehicles must have mufflers. Up to 300 cars can to enter.

Running alongside the drags will be Sonoma Drift, where pros and amateurs can swing wheels to perfect their drifting techniques. Speed is secondary as competitors are judged on the style and execution of their drift through a marked course in the raceway's paddock. Cars must pass a technical inspection before being allowed to drift.

Drifting starts at 4 p.m. Drivers can pre-register for $40 or pay $50 at the gate. Spectators can watch for $10.

TOP THE COPS

High school students have an opportunity to race Bay Area law enforcement with the weekly Top The Cops program, which runs alongside the raceway's weekly Wednesday Night Drags program. Among the agencies that participate in this are the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department and the Petaluma, Windsor and Sonoma police departments.

In its 23rd season, the raceway offers the event as an alternative to street racing on Sonoma's quarter-mile drag strip. It also offers teenagers the opportunity to speak to officers about safe driving practices.

NASCAR PLAYOFFS

Two races remain before the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup playoffs. Martin Truex Jr. currently leads the point standings with a 101-point lead on Kyle Busch and a 106-point lead on Kyle Larson. Truex has an extra 35 playoffs points that will be added to his points total once the standings reset at the beginning of the Chase; Busch has 20 and Larson 18. Truex leads the series with four wins and 15 individual stage wins. The leader at the start of the playoffs earns an extra 15 playoff points.

Several teams are still fighting to make the postseason. Heading into the next race in Darlington on Labor Day weekend, 13 of the playoff spots are accounted for. Three drivers in the top 35 can qualify for the playoffs if they win a race. The current drivers in those spots are Matt Kenseth, Jamie McMurray and Chase Elliott.