A number of Northern California natives are racing at Sonoma this weekend. Sprint Cup Series local drivers include Vallejo native Jeff Gordon, Los Gatos resident A. J. Allmendinger, and Kyle Larson of Elk Grove. Local Pro Series West drivers include James Bickford of Napa, Jessica Brunelli of Hayward, Jim Inglebright of Fairfield), Scot Ivie of San Ramon, Dylan Lupton of Wilton, Thomas Martin of Auburn, Ryan Philpott of Tracy, and Tim Spurgeon of Danville.

Martin Truex Jr. is the 2013 defending Sprint Cup Series champion at Sonoma. But Gordon, with five wins and five poles, is the undisputed king of Sonoma Raceway. Gordon also boasts 13 top-five finishes and 17 top-10 finishes — more than any other driver. Also competing in this year’s Sprint Cup race is Josh Wise. The fact he is sponsored by the crypto-currency Dogecoin has earned him the nickname “The Dogedriver.”

For the eighth straight year, Byron’s Patriot Jet Demonstration Team, the nation’s only civilian aerobatic jet team, will perform before the race on Sunday.

Grand Marshall of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 this year is baseball great Vida Blue, who pitched for both the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants. Blue, who will give the official command “Drivers, start your engines,” will also be honored at the Children’s Champions Grand Marshal’s Banquet on Friday night.