18-wheelers to thunder through capital – where to watch (or avoid) NASCAR parade Thursday – Sacramento Bee

Expect an unusual lunchtime traffic jam around the state Capitol on Thursday. Featuring the most famous 18-wheelers in motor sports, it’s the seventh annual NASCAR Hauler Parade.

Circling Capitol Park shortly after noon, the parade features about 40 haulers, carrying the Monster Energy Cup Series race cars that will compete in Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Each truck is decked out with gigantic portraits of the drivers – such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Elk Grove’s Kyle Larson – as well as their cars.

With an official escort, the procession starts at noon as the haulers cross the Tower Bridge, heading east down Capitol Mall. They’ll squeeze in a quick right turn on Third Street, before going left, left, left on N, 16th and L streets. After this counter-clockwise loop around the Capitol, the haulers get back on Interstate 80 and make their way west to Sonoma Raceway.

While in Sacramento, the haulers will be greeted by the track’s Raceway Girls and fans at the corner of L and 11th streets. State Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) will present an official State Senate Resolution proclaiming Thursday “NASCAR Day in Sacramento.”