Infineon Raceway NASCAR Preview

Sprint Cup drivers hit the first of two road courses on Sunday at Infineon Raceway in California wine country while the Nationwide Series is in Elkhart, Wisconsin.

11 races left before the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship and things are heating up in the battle for a playoff spot.

Denny Hamlin is coming off a victory at Michigan last week and it moved him into a tie with Clint Bowyer for ninth place in the standings.  And Tony Stewart is only one point back in 11th.

This could be a big week for Stewart.  He has two victories at Sonoma and he has top-10 finishes in the last four races there.  Along with five victories at Watkins Glen, Stewart has scored more points on road courses than any other active driver.

Jeff Gordon stands 12^th in the standings, but he has victories at Phoenix and Pocono, so he’s in good shape for making the Chase.  Gordon has the series record for most victories on road courses with nine, including five at Sonoma. On the downside, he hasn’t led a lap there in the last four races.  To prepare for Sunday, he practiced at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio this week.

Jimmie  Johnson, the five-time defending series champion is also the defending champion at Sonoma. It was a controversial win though after Marcose Ambrose turned off his engine during a caution to save gas, couldn’t get it refired and Johnson passed him during the caution – legally by rule - to take the lead and eventually the race.