When the Monster Energy Cup Series makes its way to Sonoma Raceway this weekend, there will be five new drivers making their 2017 Cup Series Debut.
A few of those drivers will be making their first ever Cup Series appearance.
Alon Day will become the first Israeli to compete in the Cup Series when he takes over the No. 23 BK Racing Toyota this weekend. Day has been a mainstay in the NASCAR Euro Series, and he has also appeared in the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series in 2016.
Related: Another first for NASCAR as a former Euro Series driver is set to make his debut
Billy Johnson is filling in for the injured Aric Almirola in the No. 43 car. Bubba Wallace raced in the car the last two weeks, and Regan Smith raced in the car before that.
Wallace will take back over, but the Richard Petty Motorsports team wanted a road-course specialist, so they called on Johnson for this week.
Related: Richard Petty is trying yet another driver in the no. 43
Boris Said is another road-course expert, and he will be filling in for Jeffrey Earnhardt in the No. 33 Circle Sport/TMG Chevrolet on Sunday. The 53-year old has raced in 52 Monster Energy Series events in the past.
Tommy Regan will drive the No. 55 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet on Sunday, and it will be his first career Cup Series race.
Tommy Regan's car as he gets set for his Cup debut @RaceSonoma #TSM350 pic.twitter.com/qvH6M3uBLv
— Brock Beard (@LASTCARonBROCK) June 23, 2017
Rick Ware Racing is calling on road-course driver Josh Bilicki to take over the No. 51 car this weekend. Bilicki will also race for them at Watkins Glen.
None of the inexperienced drivers will be expected to win, but the teams will be counting on a good showing from each--especially the drivers with plenty of road-course experience.
(h/t FOX Sports)