2010 NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 Picks & Predictions
This week NASCAR heads out West for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway, which will be the first of two road course races this year.
You will hear lots of fans complain that this isn't NASCAR racing, but we think this is some of the best racing we will see this year, seeing as how it's more than just turning left and who has clean air.
One thing we always hear about for these races is the so-called "Road Course Ringers." Well, all you have to know is that they have yet to win a race and putting your money on them has been a losing proposition. Our recommendation is don't get caught up in the hype and stay away from them entirely.
Jeff Gordon 6/1
For years, Gordon was the king of these races, winning five of nine outings here at one point. Although he has been off his game the last few years on road courses, we know this is a race he wants to win badly each and every year. Gordon has an amazing record here with five wins, 10 top-5s and 13 top-10s in 17 starts, which is an average finish of 9.3. With those numbers, he leads all drivers with eight or more starts here.
Tony Stewart 6/1
The road course races were almost conceded to Gordon before Stewart came along, and since then these races always seem to come down to these two drivers. While we think Stewart runs better at Watkins Glen, it's tough to leave him out at Sonoma. In 11 starts here, Stewart has two wins and seven top-10s for an average finish of 9.3.
Live Longshot
Robbie Gordon 18/1
Robbie Gordon may be the best road course driver in this series, but he always seems to find trouble or lets his temper get the best of him when things don't go his way. If his car is right and he gets out front, he could be long gone. But once he gets stuck back in traffic he seems to lose it and his day is over. That said, there are too many question marks keeping him from being one of our top plays this week.