Jeff Gordon gets into the back of Martin Truex at Sonoma

Big moments in Turn 11 at Sonoma Raceway

By Staff Report | Published: 9 Jun, 2023 8

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Jonathan Ferrey | NASCAR via Getty Images

Sonoma Raceway's right-hand Turn 11 has been known to create some drama through the years. Take a look at a few big moments in the hairpin.

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1991: In the third NASCAR race ever at Sonoma, it was Ricky Rudd who knocked Davey Allison out of the way coming to the white flag. Rudd would cross the start-finish line first but received a five-second penalty for the move in Turn 11. Rudd's one-second margin of victory was erased, and NASCAR officials declared Allison the winner.

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2009: Things got interesting between Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. in 2009, as Gordon plowed into the back of Truex, sending him for a spin.

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2011: Racing hard for position, Tony Stewart got in the back of Brian Vickers at the entrance of Turn 11, sending Vickers crashing into other cars. Vickers was not happy with Stewart's move, as you will see in the next image.

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2011: In retaliation for the previous incident, Brian Vickers gave Tony Stewart a hard shove in the same spot on the race track, launching Stewart into the tire barrier. The No. 14 car needed a little assistance from track crews afterward.

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2014: Jamie McMurray rams into the back of Clint Bowyer, sending Bowyer spinning. Kevin Harvick was unable to evade the incident, plowing into the side of Bowyer.

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2016: Tony Stewart shoved Denny Hamlin out of the way in the last turn for what would be his 49th and final victory in NASCAR's premier series.

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2017: In his final race at Sonoma, Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost control of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, taking an alternative route into Turn 11 and collecting Danica Patrick in the process.