Road Course Rage is About to Begin!

With road course action taking off this weekend at Infineon Raceway, the timing may be right for the perfect storm for Juan Pablo Montoya. On the outside looking in at NASCAR’s top 12 contenders throughout the 2009 season, Montoya has gained to the point where he is only 43 points away from a berth in NASCAR’s elite top 12.

Now, with only 11 races remaining before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Montoya will be in his element when he gets behind the wheel of the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates No. 42 Target Chevrolet in Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway.

Montoya was one of the world’s premier road racers prior to joining the stock car ranks. He won seven Formula One races, the 1999 Champ Car title and 11 open-wheel races, including the 2000 Indianapolis 500, prior to making his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut for Chip Ganassi in the 2006 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He won the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award in 2007, along with winning at Infineon Raceway.

After final finishes of 20th and 25th in his first two NASCAR seasons, Montoya is getting the hang of driving the 3,400-pound machines. He’s coming off back-to-back top-10 finishes, placing eighth at Pocono and sixth in the LifeLock 400 at Michigan, moving to 14th in the series point standings.

Now, he’s looking at a solid run at Infineon to make his move with only 11 races remaining before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. That stretch also includes the road course at Watkins Glen, along with races at the four tracks where he’s had top-10 finishes this season.

Other news and notes:

A shakeup in the Top 12 sees Martin rise, and Reutimann stumble.

Mark Martin’s (No. 5 CARQUEST/Kellogg’s Chevrolet) last-lap victory at Michigan vaulted him up the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings. After starting last Sunday in 13th place – one point from the top 12 – Martin leapfrogged all the way up to eighth with 10 races remaining before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

David Reutimann (No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota) was the loser in the mix, falling from 11th to 13th in the standings after finishing 19th. Now, he trails Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) by three points in the battle for a share in racing’s elite dozen. Juan Pablo Montoya is now 14th, 43 points out of 12th, while Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge) is also in striking distance, 91 points back.

Once again, four past champions continue to pace the standings.

Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet), Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet), Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) and Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge) continue to hold the top-four positions, respectively, separated by 128 points. Stewart is a two-time (2002 and ‘05) champ, Gordon is a four-time titlist (1995, ‘97-98, 2001), Johnson is a three-timer (2006-08) and Busch has one title (2004).

Special Q/A in Turn 11 with Jeff Gordon at Infineon!

Vallejo native Jeff Gordon, who holds the track record for wins at Infineon Raceway, will be front-and-center for race fans on Sunday, June 21, with a special chalk-talk session just hours before the drop of the green flag for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

The best part is 750 lucky fans will have a “front-row spot” for this Q&A session by purchasing the “24 Special” ticket package. Race fans that purchase a race ticket for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 will get the second ticket for just $24 (total price $119). That’s a savings of $70. They’ll also be front-and-center for the session.

The chalk-talk session will be open to the public, but to get the up-close access, you’ll need the “24 Special.” The Q&A will take place on the road course at Turn 11, one of the most exciting turns on the circuit, at 11 a.m. (PST). Race fans are encouraged to assemble at 10:30 a.m. at the Sunoco Gas Station, which will serve as the entrance to Turn 11.

“For Jeff Gordon, this race is as close as it comes to a home game.  He’s from Vallejo, he drives this track like a demon and is always a fan favorite,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “We know this package will be a big hit and we appreciate Jeff’s commitment to our fans.”

All fans will be admitted to the session, but only those that purchase the “24 Special” will have the up-front access.

“Infineon Raceway is a special place for me since I grew up down the road in Vallejo,” said Gordon, a five-time winner on the Sonoma Valley circuit. “I’m real happy that I can do this for the fans and I hope a lot of people turn out for this. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Race fans can purchase the “24 Special” by calling 800-870-RACE or visiting www.infineonraceway.com.

Thanks to Diana Brennan at Infineon Raceway for this information.

SPEED Into Father’s Day at Sonoma!

Hey Phoenix NASCAR fans, have you ever seen a road course race live? There is just something about it that makes it fun. For starters, drivers actually have to turn their wheels to the right and not just to the left. Additionally, the racing seems more challenging and has also made for some spectacular finishes in recent years.

Now, I am a huge PIR fan – love the track, love the environment, love the racing! But, there is also a part of me that just loves watching road course racing. On June 21st, I have the amazing opportunity to head to Sonoma, CA to watch the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, and you could too! The track and surroundings are gorgeous, and who wouldn’t want to travel to such an amazing place in northern California? (Yes, that was a rhetorical question.)

If you are able to make it up to Infineon to watch one of the two road course races of the year (the other taking place at Watkins Glen International, in New York), you will also have a chance to enter into a great promotion sponsored by SPEED.

Here are the details:

One lucky fan will “SPEED into Father’s Day” at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, June 21.

Infineon Raceway and SPEED have partnered on a promotion that will give one lucky fan the thrill of a lifetime on race day, June 21, which is also Father’s Day.

All race fans have to do is visit the SPEED Stage any time over the weekend, beginning on Friday, June 19, and sign-up to be a SPEED Fanatic. They will then be entered to win the Ultimate Father’s Day package, which includes:

•    A seat in the pit box of one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams for the Toyota/Save Mart 350.
•    Pre-Race Pit & Track Access.
•    Official introduction during pre-race ceremonies.
•    VIP behind-the-scenes access at the SPEED Stage.

Sign-ups will close at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, and the winner will be chosen at 9:30 a.m. (both times PST) on the SPEED Stage. There is no purchase necessary to enter (must be 18 years old) and the  winner must be present to claim their prize. The SPEED Stage is located behind the main grandstand in the paddock area.

Toyota/Save Mart 350 Information:

Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: Toyota/Save Mart 350
WHEN: June 19-21 (Father’s Day weekend)
2008 POLE WINNER: Kasey Kahne
2008 WINNER: Kyle Busch
NOTABLE: The weekend will also feature competition in the Bennett Lane Winery 200, presented by Supercuts, NASCAR Camping World Series West event on Saturday.
START TIMES (Pacific):
Friday, June 19: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pole Day, 3:35 p.m.
Saturday, June 20: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice, 10:50 a.m.; Bennett Lane Winery 200, presented by Supercuts, 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day): Toyota/Save Mart 350, 2 p.m.
TICKETS: $25-$130 single day/$99-$180 weekend; parking is FREE
INFORMATION:  800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com