The Super Low Tier – Sonoma
Ben Rhodes – Truck series driver, Ben Rhodes will be making his Cup debut at Sonoma driving the #77. This car is typically fielded by Justin Haley, and is the top “Super Low Tier” car nearly every week. Ben Rhodes is a great pick to drive the #77 while Haley is competing at Mid-Ohio. Rhodes has track time at Sonoma (Mazda Miata) and he feels comfortable driving around the serpentine track. This year at road courses in the Truck Series, Rhodes raced his way to victory lane at Daytona RC and finished 10th at COTA. On Sunday, I think he’ll likely finish around the high-twenties.
James Davison – James Davison may very well prove to be the top “Super Low Tier” driver at Sonoma. Davison has a road course racing background and earlier this year at the Daytona Road Course he came home 23rd. That’s the best finish from a “Super Low Tier” driver this season on this track type. At COTA, Davison had some sort of issue and finished 29th.
Garrett Smithley – Garrett Smithley doesn’t have a Sonoma start on his resume, but he’s been one of the better “Super Low Tier” drivers at road courses this year. This year on this track type he finished 27th at Daytona RC and then 28th at COTA. Those are actually his two best results this year! On Sunday, I think he’s a low to mid 30’s driver who has potential to finish marginally better.
Scott Heckert – Scott Heckert will be returning to competition at Sonoma driving the #78 which is typically piloted by BJ McLeod. Heckert is a road course ringer, but even with all of his experience on this track type you can’t do much with a “Super Low Tier” car. Earlier this year in this very ride at the Daytona Road Course, Heckert started 28th and finished 28th. On Sunday, I think he’s a low to mid-thirties driver who might be able to finish marginally better.
Quin Houff -Quin Houff has four starts on his road course racing resume, but none of them were at Sonoma. Over his three incident free races he’s finished between 28th to 34th. This year at the two venues visited he finished 34th at COTA and then at Daytona RC his engine blew up. On Sunday, I think he’s a low to mid-thirties driver.
Cody Ware – Cody Ware has two starts at Sonoma under his belt and he’s been consistent! Ware has a pair of 36th place results on his resume. This year at the two road courses visited he has results of 25th (Daytona RC) and 32nd (COTA). Over the last five races heading into the weekend, Ware has finished between 30th to 36th. On Sunday, I think he’s likely a low to mid-thirties driver.
Josh Bilicki – Josh Bilicki has one start on his resume at Sonoma and in 2017 he finished 36th. This year at the two road courses visited, Bilicki has results of 30th (COTA) and 36th (Daytona RC). Over the last four races heading into the weekend, Bilicki has finished between 30th to 35th. Look for him to finish around that range again on Sunday.
