Sonoma Raceway has encountered unexpected challenges during track repaving, leading to a heated exchange on social media between Denny Hamlin and Marcus Smith. The track aims to resolve the repaving issues promptly in order to resume the event on Saturday.

During a non-NASCAR event on Wednesday, sections of the track surface at Sonoma Raceway began to deteriorate. Speedway Motorsports Chairman, Marcus Smith, defended his company's efforts, which led to a late-night dispute with Denny Hamlin on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Hamlin accused the company, which owns several tracks, of attempting to repave on a limited budget.

The Twitter exchange escalated with Hamlin taking a dig at the reconfiguration of the Texas track, while Smith responded by mentioning Hamlin's lack of a Cup title and suggesting he needs golf tips. The conversation continued, with Smith calling Hamlin an "almost NASCAR champion" and emphasizing the weight of negative comments without a championship to back them up.

The dispute between Hamlin and Smith highlights previous tensions between drivers and Smith's tracks regarding track surface adjustments without sufficient communication to the teams. NASCAR has now implemented a system to coordinate track preparations and maintain better communication with the teams, alleviating this particular issue.

In addition to the Twitter feud, ongoing negotiations between charters have brought financial concerns to the forefront. While teams seek a larger share of NASCAR's revenues, primarily generated through media rights agreements, track owners currently receive 65%, while teams receive 25% through purses for events. This financial dynamic may have influenced Hamlin's criticism of track owners spending less money, implying that teams should receive a greater portion of the funds.

Amidst controversies and distractions, including Hamlin's controversial win at Richmond, Sonoma Raceway's repaving issues have emerged as a focal point. Steve Swift, overseeing construction for Speedway Motorsports, has expressed uncertainty regarding the cause of the pavement detachment at Sonoma. The adhesive used in the repaving process failed, preventing the new pavement from adhering to the milled surface.

Turn 11 at Sonoma Raceway was the primary affected area, with minor issues in other turns. Samples from different areas of the track are being tested to ensure there are no additional problems. The track had no issues during testing last month when three Cup drivers participated, and any further concerns will be addressed before the NASCAR races take place in June.

The discussion between Hamlin and Smith also briefly mentioned North Wilkesboro Speedway, a track recently repaved and set to host the NASCAR All-Star Race in May. Unlike Sonoma, North Wilkesboro experienced different issues during a recent tire test, which were resolved without further complications.

While Smith received criticism for potential cost-cutting measures, Steve Swift emphasized that repaving a race track is a significant investment. Sonoma Raceway is determined to swiftly resolve the repaving issues to ensure a successful and safe event.

Overall, the dispute between Hamlin and Smith underscores the complex dynamics between drivers, teams, and track owners regarding financial matters and track management decisions. The resolution of Sonoma Raceway's repaving issues will be crucial for the upcoming NASCAR races and providing an optimal racing experience for all competitors.