Race Report - Infineon

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge
2. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
3. Jeff Burton, Chevrolet
4. Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet
5. Greg Biffle, Ford
33. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
39. Kyle Petty, #45 Wells Fargo Dodge

OVERVIEW:

Juan Pablo Montoya, the former Formula One star, parlayed his road course abilities into his first Nextel Cup win on Sunday. Montoya conserved enough fuel to win Sunday’s Save Mart 350 at the 1.99-mile Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

Sunday’s race, like most road course races, turned into a fuel mileage affair. The race was 110 laps long and many teams use different strategy in an attempt to win. Sunday’s case, a handful of teams attempted to only pit twice for fuel to win. Drivers such as Montoya, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards all stretched their mileage after a caution on lap 68 sent teams down pit road. The bet paid off for Montoya, Harvick and Burton. It did not for McMurray and Edwards who both ran out. Jeff Gordon continues to lead the point’s standings.

Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team finished 33rd after starting 13th in Sunday’s event. For Labonte and the Cheerios/Betty Crocker team it was a race of strategy. The team was confident of their car’s performance. Labonte was the fastest car in practice on Friday and looked strong Saturday. Labonte raced in the top 15 in Sunday’s race, and after the first stop was on pace for a top finish. Strategy was playing in the hands of the team. Even a hit from Elliott Sadler on lap 50 that sent Labonte into a spin didn’t deter the team. Labonte instead hit pit road on lap 68, and like the others playing the fuel strategy game, took fuel for the last time. Labonte climbed into the top 10 and was in the fifth position with two laps to go. It was then when the gas tank ran dry as Labonte took the white flag. Labonte attempted to coast the car around to the finish, but ended a little short. Labonte was credited with the 33rd finishing position.

“We knew it was going to be close,” said crew chief Paul Andrews. “We have had good fuel mileage this season. The guys worked really hard today. It’s disappointing not to bring it home fifth. We were close.”

Petty and the #45 Wells Fargo Dodge team had a strong run end dry on Sunday. Petty started 23rd in Sunday’s race and ran into trouble early. Contact with Matt Kenseth put a dent in the right-rear quarter panel early in the race. Petty, however, didn’t get off course. The team, instead, stayed on track and let strategy come into play. Bill Wilburn made calls to pit the Wells Fargo Dodge early. He then made the call for Petty to pit on lap 68. Petty was in 14th and climbing into the top 10 in the closing laps. It was fuel mileage strategy that led Petty to a third place finish earlier this season at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Sunday, however, the team just came up short on fuel. Petty finished 39th.

“Kyle was working hard in there,” said crew chief Bill Wilburn. “He did a great job. It was close for everyone. I’m sure the damage we had didn’t help us.”

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series heads to the one-mile New Hampshire International Speedway for next Sunday’s New Hampshire 300. The race will be televised live by TNT and broadcast live on MRN Radio.