Mastering the twists and turns of Infineon Raceway is no small task, especially for many of the regulars on the Nextel Cup Series, who only compete on two road courses each year. For that reason, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 usually attracts a number of road-course specialists. These drivers typically race on the two road courses each year, in Sonoma and Watkins Glen, and few other races on the NASCAR schedule. A specialist has never won a Nextel Cup race in Sonoma, but they have come awfully close. A few who will run at Sonoma, include: Marcos Ambrose: Ambrose runs full time in the Busch Series for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, is scheduled to drive the #47 Aussie Vineyards Ford in Sonoma. Ron Fellows: Fellows has won at Infineon Raceway a number of times in his familiar Corvette in the American Le Mans Series, but his best NASCAR finish in Sonoma is seventh (2003). Supposedly Fellows will replace Tony Raines in the #96 HOF Racing/DLP Chevy. Klaus Graf: Graf will look to make his second NASCAR start at Infineon Raceway, replacing Mike Bliss in the #49 BAM Racing Dodge. Boris Said: Said is scheduled to run six 2007 Nextel Cup races, in his #60 Sobe No Fear Ford, Said started on the pole in 2003 and finished 6th twice (2003-04). Said has won at Infineon Raceway in other series, including the Craftsman Truck Series in 1998. Terry Labonte: will sub for Michael Waltrip in the #55 NAPA Toyota, P.J. Jones: will replace David Reutimann in the #00 MWR/Burger King Toyota. Jones has raced at Sonoma four times, including his last Nextel Cup race, last season. His best finish is 25th in 1993, he finished 26th in 2006. Marc Goossens: is scheduled to debut the #91 Riley-D’hondt Toyota at Sonoma, Goossens qualified the #90 Ford for RYR in 2006 Brian Simo has made a few starts for different car owners at Sonoma, finishing 10th for RCR in the #33 in 2005 and is listed in the #37 Front Row Motorsports Dodge. Brandon Ash will attempt to make the race in his own #02 car. NOTES: Other road course drivers who could run at Sonoma: Tom Hubert [Bill Davis Racing, probably in the #36?], Chris Cook ran there in 2005 and is an insturctor at the track. Other drivers who have attempted to make the race there in the past few years include: John Borneman, III, Jose Luis Ramirez, Johnny Miller, Jim Inglebright [all four are scheduled to run the Grand National West Race there on Sat.] and Austin Cameron.(sources: Infineon Raceway PR, Jayski sources and research at Racing-reference.info)(6-17-2007) UPDATE: Road-racing specialist Scott Pruett won’t run next weekend for car owner Chip Ganassi because of a scheduling conflict. Pruett is scheduled to run for Ganassi at Watkins Glen in August [doesn’t say if a 4th team](Roanoke Times)(6-18-2007)
