Tony Stewart wins Toyota/Save Mart 350 2016: Five takeaways from Sonoma

It was a wild day of racing at Sonoma Raceway for the 2016 Toyota/Save Mart 350.

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The 2016 Toyota/Save Mart 350 was just as predictable as it always is at Sonoma Raceway. With road racing really testing the drivers in the heat, the battles were better than ever.

From the very beginning of the race on Sunday, it was a rematch of the pole battle from Friday, with Carl Edwards and A.J. Allmendinger battling each other for the lead.

While the road specialist and Edwards tested the mettle of each other, Edwards’ teammates, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin lurked right behind him. Eventually Edwards would get some damage on the left side of his vehicle and that would drop him back after a slow pit stop.

Still, a disciplined Edwards worked his way back up front, as his two teammates along with Martin Truex Jr. controlled the pace at the front. With 20 laps remaining, pit stops and cautions would change the order of the race and Tony Stewart would take his spot at the front with the leaders of the day right behind him.

With two laps left, Stewart hopped and Hamlin was able to gain a little ground to make it a close final lap. Stewart would get loose and Hamlin would pass him for the lead. Just as it looked like Hamlin would win, Stewart would bump him for the win and pick up a win in his final season.

In the final 10 laps, Stewart would fight his hardest to try and pick up his first win of the season. In an unpredictable turn of events, Stewart would lose the lead and gain it right back in the final turn with a crazy pass of Denny Hamlin.

With the win, Stewart is closer to the Chase.

Here are five takeaways from the 2016 Toyota/Save Mart 350.

1. Kyle Busch bounced back after four straight bad weeks

Kyle Busch finished 30th or worse for four straight weeks heading into Sonoma Raceway. The driver that was seemingly invincible, wasn’t able to be touched for the first couple months of the season.

The last month or so, Busch has been human on the track and he’s also been really bad. At Sonoma, he finally found his groove again and fought for the lead most of the race. A week off from the Sprint Cup Series clearly did him some good.

2. The road racing was as wild as expected

When it comes to a race like Sonoma, the racing is always going to be crazy and there are going to be plenty of close encounters on the track. Take for instance here, when several drivers just missed the wall as they flew around the track.

It’s part of the charm that is road racing.

3. Martin Truex Jr. is a championship contender

Martin Truex Jr. didn’t get off to the strong start this year that he did last year, but over the last few weeks his season has really began to come together. A dominant performance at Charlotte really set up the rest of his season and on Sunday, he was a factor in the end.

He’s putting it all together at the right time and he’s going to be in the mix for a championship at the end of the season.

4. Clint Bowyer had it with his car

The first driver to have issues with his car on Sunday, was Clint Bowyer. As Bowyer was navigating through the multiple turns, the inside of his car began smoking and that indicated an electrical fire.

The fumes forced him to evacuate immediately and his day would come to an end. Out of frustration, Bowyer would throw his helment right back into the car.

5. Tony Stewart has won in his final season

After 84 races, Tony Stewart is back in victory lane. It seemed almost impossible after the way he has been driving over the last few years, but he defeated Denny Hamlin and refused to lose, as hid dad cheered him on.

With the win, Stewart now just has to finish in the top-30 in points and he will make it to the Chase and compete for a Sprint Cup Championship.

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