RACEWORZ Sonoma 2026 — More Than Cars, More Than Racing

Photography & Words: Donnie Rochin | @r0cean11 | r0cean11.com Event: RACEWORZ | @raceworz

The Reason We Keep Coming Back

Covering RACEWORZ Sonoma 2026 was a reminder of exactly why I fell in love with the automotive community in the first place.

Every time I attend this event, I'm taken back to the days when RACEWORZ was originally held at Sacramento Raceway. Back then, I was just another enthusiast walking through the pits, admiring builds, talking with owners, and soaking in every aspect of a culture that would eventually become a major part of my life. Years later, standing trackside as a photographer and representative of Stance Auto Magazine, I still feel that same pull. It still feels special.

The team behind RACEWORZ has always been among the most dedicated people I've encountered in the automotive industry. Year after year, they continue to create an environment where enthusiasts can gather to celebrate their passion, creativity, and the vehicles they've invested countless hours building. Events like this don't simply happen on their own — they happen because passionate people genuinely care about preserving and growing the culture.

More Than Transportation

What many people outside the automotive world don't always understand is that these vehicles eventually become much more than transportation. They become extensions of ourselves. They represent our creativity, our personalities, and our stories. More importantly, they become the catalyst for friendships and relationships that often last a lifetime.

When I built my first car, I never imagined the opportunities or relationships that would come from simply sharing a love for automobiles. I never expected that a hobby would lead me to photography, introduce me to lifelong friends, or eventually become part of my journey with Stance Auto Magazine. Looking back now, I'm incredibly grateful for everything this community has given me.

At Stance Auto, that's always been the focus. It's never been about trophies, social media numbers, or pieces of hardware sitting on a shelf. It's about the people behind the builds. Their stories. Their struggles. Their victories. Their passion. The journey that brought them to where they are today.

And RACEWORZ embodies that spirit perfectly.

Few events offer such a complete representation of automotive culture in one place. Drifting, drag racing, show cars, vendors, families, and enthusiasts from every corner of the scene come together to create an atmosphere that's difficult to explain unless you've experienced it firsthand. It's more than an event — it's a feeling.

Saturday's Show

Saturday delivered exactly what enthusiasts have come to expect from RACEWORZ. The event grounds were packed with outstanding builds, familiar faces, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with old friends while making new ones. Seeing how projects have evolved over the past year and hearing the stories behind the latest modifications reminded me how fortunate we are to be part of such a passionate community.

The atmosphere was exactly what a grassroots automotive event should be. The DJ kept the energy high throughout the day. Vendors stayed busy. Families filled the venue. The food was excellent — and yes, I found myself stopping by the bacon truck. Whatever magic they were cooking up was absolutely worth the wait.

More importantly, I was able to spend time with friends who have become family over the years. After serving ten years in the military, one lesson has stayed with me: never take those relationships for granted. The people around you matter. The memories you create together matter even more.

Sunday Morning in the Pits

Walking through the pits on Sunday morning was a powerful reminder of that.

Families stepped out of trailers. Teams prepared breakfast. Drivers made last-minute adjustments. Friends worked side by side getting cars ready for another day of competition. As I photographed racers and longtime friends wrenching together, I couldn't help but think about how many years they'd been doing this — and how many stories those vehicles could tell.

One particular moment stuck with me. A group of older gentlemen stood around their dragsters preparing for the day ahead. They laughed, shared stories, tightened bolts, and enjoyed each other's company as if they'd been doing it forever. Maybe they had.

Watching them brought an unexpected wave of appreciation. It wasn't about internet fame. It wasn't about sponsorships. It wasn't about being seen. It was about preserving moments.

One day, those photographs may be all that's left of mornings spent in the pits with friends, family, and the machines that brought them together. That's the true value of what we do. We're not simply photographing cars — we're documenting memories.

The People Behind RACEWORZ

To Matt, Marshall, Wayne, and everyone involved in making RACEWORZ Sonoma 2026 possible — thank you.

Those of us who have been around for years see the countless hours, sacrifices, and dedication that go into creating an event of this scale. It doesn't go unnoticed. That appreciation extends beyond RACEWORZ to every event organiser who continues to support the culture because they genuinely care about it. The people who do this out of love for the community — not because they're chasing a paycheck — deserve our support and respect. They are the reason events like this continue to thrive.

Building the Future — A Few Words from Founder Matt

One of the reasons RACEWORZ continues to thrive is its willingness to evolve while staying true to its roots. According to founder Matt, this year's event centred on one core idea: renewal.

"The theme this year was renewal — new faces, new experiences, and evolving the core of our event. We expanded leadership and added new activities while staying true to our motorsports roots."

The weekend featured several standout appearances. Bay Area drifting legend Calvin Wan served as drift judge, while Street Outlaws personality Boddie stepped into the role of race director. Crowd-favourite builds made their debut throughout the show, including the Lightning McQueen GT-R and the Dinoco Dodge Challenger.

Competition was fierce across 36 judged categories, covering everything from manufacturer-specific awards to Best Team and Best in Show. A new DCT vs. AWD drag racing class added another level of excitement for competitors and spectators alike, and the entertainment lineup more than delivered — a massive vendor midway presented by Exhibit Supply, go-kart drifting, drift ride-alongs, and live music kept the energy going all weekend.

Longtime supporter CSM Race Engines once again played a major role, including building the winning big-tire drag car. And one of the biggest highlights for many attendees was the return of professional drifter Matt Field. Despite mechanical issues throughout the weekend, Field kept finding ways to stay in front of the fans.

"He broke his car but kept finding a way to give fans drift ride-alongs. That dedication really says everything about the kind of people involved in this community."

Community, Family, and Motorsports

At its core, RACEWORZ has always been designed for everyone. From first-time spectators to seasoned racers. From families to hardcore enthusiasts. From lowriders to exotics. From drag racers to drifters. The event creates opportunities for people to experience aspects of automotive culture they might otherwise never explore.

"Racers love seeing packed stands, and spectators gain a new appreciation for drifting, drag racing, and the people behind it. It brings all sides of the community together."

Perhaps most importantly, RACEWORZ continues to inspire the next generation.

"I've seen kids who attended years ago now participating themselves. Watching that passion get passed on is what it's all about."

That may be one of the most important contributions any event can make — creating future enthusiasts, future racers, and future memories.

Why RACEWORZ Matters

Automotive culture has always been about more than horsepower, trophies, or social media attention. It's about passion. It's about friendships. It's about the stories we create together.

RACEWORZ continues to represent all of those things, and that's exactly why it remains one of my favourite events of the year. Because when all is said and done, the cars may change — but the friendships, memories, and moments we share along the way are what truly last.

Catch more event coverage, build features, and stories from across the automotive world at Stance Auto Magazine.