2005 Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway

Road races are rare on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series schedule as only two of the 36 races require right turns. Infineon Raceway hosts one of those races this weekend on the road course in Sonoma California.

This race typically features some comedy as oval drivers struggle with their 3,400 pound machines on the twisty track.

Originally built in 1968 as a 2.52 mile road course the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup drivers now use a 1.99-mile portion of the road course with a dramatic elevation change over the course of a lap.

110 laps = 218 miles (350 kilometers)

This is race number 16 of 36. This is a good chance for Jeff Gordon to get back into the top ten since he is a road race ace.

The current points top ten are: 1. Jimmie Johnson 2,173. 2. Greg Biffle 2,124. 3. Elliott Sadler 1,923. 4. Carl Edwards 1,914. 5. Mark Martin 1,904. 6. Tony Stewart 1,862. 7. Ryan Newman 1,856. 8. Rusty Wallace 1,848. 9. Kurt Busch 1,813. 10. Kevin Harvick 1,803.

This week we'll hear a lot about the road racing experts.

Jeff Gordon needs a good run here to begin his charge back into the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. We'll also hear a lot about the ringers. Road racing experts from other series who typically only race NEXTEL Cup twice each year. These include guys like Boris Said, Ron Fellows and Scott Pruett. They may not be familiar names to NASCAR fans but they're all a threat to win on Sunday.

TV: Fox Sunday June 19th 2:30PM Eastern.

Radio: PRN and XM Satellite

Actual Race: 3:35PM Eastern

In 2004 Jeff Gordon qualified on the pole and dominated the race leading 92 of the 110 lap race. This one was never really in doubt. Road racing ringers Scott Pruett and Boris Said finished 3rd and 6th.

How can you come to Infineon Raceway and not pick Jeff Gordon? He dominated this race in 2004 and won three in-a-row from 1998 to 2000. Gordon has to be the favorite this week.

For my backup I'm going with a ringer. Scott Pruett had a great run last year and he's back as Jamie McMurray's teammate with Chip Ganassi. Scott honestly has the ability and the equipment to get it done.