This weekend in Sonoma, Calif. teams won't have their usual thick notebooks full of data from previous races to work from and prepare a plan. That's because the Car of Tomorrow (COT) will make its debut at a road course in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway. Teams will start a new notebook of data as they learn for the first time how the new car design takes both left-hand and right-hand turns at the 10-turn, 1.99-mile serpentine track.
Complicating the COT road course debut is the fact that teams were not able to test at the unique Infineon track. While a number of teams did participate in tests at off-schedule tracks such as Virginia International Raceway (VIR), none of the tracks are quite the same as Infineon which features extremely varying degrees in banking as well as sharp, hairpin turns.
While the competition will be a heated battle, activities preparing for the weekend's main event promise to be just as lively. Before teams compete in Sunday's race, plenty of pre-race activities are scheduled to get fans excited and geared up, the first of which is a 30-minute concert by the legendary performer, producer and songwriter Booker T. Jones. He has a long career of recording and performing with some of the best artists in the world, such as Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan. Jones will be performing live in front of the main grandstand.
Also prior to the start of the race at 11:45 a.m. fans can participate in the Race-n-Rock Charity Auction taking place at the Wine Country Winner's Circle. Fans can bid on lots of one-of-a-kind autographed racing memorabilia, including the most unique item, an opportunity to ride alongside one of the drivers in the starting grid during the pre-race ceremonies. All proceeds of the auction will go to benefit the Speedway Children's Charities.
Similar to a couple weeks ago at Dover, Infineon Raceway will also be hosting a Track Walk for charity after Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350. However, officials at the track have found a way to spice things up a bit. In addition to walking the track, fans will also embark on a treasure hunt for prizes. Track officials will hide five golden lug nuts around the road course, each of which is redeemable for a valuable prize.
Infineon Raceway Quick Facts
- Infineon Lap Record: Jeff Gordon (75.950 seconds and 94.325 mph), June 24, 2005
- Infineon Race Record: Ricky Rudd (2 hrs., 42 min., 08 sec/81.007 mph), June 23, 2002
- 2006 Nextel Cup Winner: Jeff Gordon
- Total Purse: $5,477,141
