NASCAR Drivers Complete Test at Infineon Raceway
SONOMA, Calif. June 7, 2006; Four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers completed a two-day test session on Wednesday at Infineon Raceway in advance of the upcoming Dodge/Save Mart 350 weekend, June 23-25. Carl Edwards (No. 99 Home Depot Ford), Kyle Busch (No. 5 Kellogg's Chevrolet), Reed Sorenson (No. 41 Target Dodge) and Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet) traversed the twisting 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in a variety of stock cars. Edwards toured the circuit over the two-day test in his Busch Series car, clocking a top time of 1 minute, 17.60 seconds. Edwards received coaching during the test from road-race specialist Boris Said, who will also compete in the Dodge/Save Mart 350 in his No. 60 No Fear Ford. The Busch car features about 100 horsepower less than a Cup car, accounting for the time. "I'm feeling a lot more comfortable out there but there are definitely some areas I still need to work on," said Edwards, who placed 38th in his first race in Sonoma in 2005. It was the first trip to Infineon Raceway for Bowyer, who piloted a Grand National Division AutoZone West Series car during the test. He posted a top time of 1:19.90 on Wednesday - West Series cars have even less horsepower than Busch cars. "This is the first road course I've ever been to where you can actually see what's going on from any seat," said Bowyer, who had coaching during the test from road-racer Chris Cook. "This place is a lot more fan friendly than any other road course I've ever been to." It was the first time on the road course for Sorenson, as well, as he posted a 1:18.40 in a Busch Series car. Busch did not report a time. For ticket information on the Dodge/Save Mart 350 weekend, which will also feature the Blue Lizard Suncream 200 Grand National Division AutoZone West Series and the SPEED World Challenge, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com <http://www.infineonraceway.com/> . WHAT: Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend WHERE: Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 & 121, Sonoma, CA 95476 WHEN: June 23-25 COURSE: 10 turns, 1.99 miles 2005 WINNER: Tony Stewart 2006 PURSE: Record $5,362,868 in posted awards RECORDS: Qualifying- Jeff Gordon, 2005, 94.325 mph. Race - Ricky Rudd, 2002, 81.007 mph NEXTEL CUP SCHEDULE (All times Pacific): Friday - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup practice, noon-2 p.m.; Ravenswood Winery NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Qualifying, 4:05 p.m. (PEE). Saturday - NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series practice, 9:30-10:15 a.m.; Slingbox NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Happy Hour, 11:10-11:55 a.m. (FX). Sunday - Dodge/Save Mart 350, 12:40 p.m. (FOX). TICKETS: $25-$180, parking is free. 800-870-RACE, www.infineonraceway.com <http://www.infineonraceway.com/> or www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/> . Gates open at 7 a.m. each day.