PHOTO: James Gilbert/Getty Images. Shane van Gisbergen completed a Sonoma weekend sweep, overcoming an imperfect NASCAR Cup Series car to hold off Chase Briscoe while already turning his focus toward the upcoming oval stretch.

As AJ Allmendinger prepares for his 500th NASCAR Cup Series start at Sonoma Raceway, the Kaulig Racing veteran isn’t focused on the milestone. Instead, he’s focused on getting better. From studying Shane van Gisbergen’s road-course approach to earning praise from teammate Ty Dillon, Allmendinger’s career continues to be defined by growth, perspective and an unwavering commitment to improvement.