***NASCAR WC at Infineon Raceway Sonoma, CA on FoX, Sunday, 1 pm PT / 4 pm ET***

NASCAR.com ^ | 6/20/03

[NormsRevenge]

Infineon Raceway is one of the premier road racing venues in the country, and one of the few on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit. The facility first opened in 1968 and serves as the gateway to the beautiful and scenic Sonoma Valley, which serves as one of the top wine-producing regions in the world.

God Bless our Armed Forces and their families and those who have paid for our freedoms with their lives.

God Bless America

[NormsRevenge]

NASCAR

Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway

FoX at 1pm PT / 4pm ET on Sunday, June 22, 2003

Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway is one of the premier road racing venues in the country, and one of the few on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit. The facility first opened in 1968 and serves as the gateway to the beautiful and scenic Sonoma Valley, which serves as one of the top wine-producing regions in the world.

Track Facts
Banking/Turns: --
Distance: 2.0 mile
Shape: Road Course

Support our Troops

Starting Lineup for Sunday's Race

Pos.
1	#01	Boris Said	Pontiac	U.S. Army	93.620	76.522	Leader
2	#31	Robby Gordon	Chevrolet	Cingular Wireless	93.262	76.816	-0.294
3	#1	Ron Fellows	Chevrolet	Pennzoil	93.073	76.972	-0.450
4	#17	Matt Kenseth	Ford	DeWalt Power Tools	92.879	77.133	-0.611
5	#97	Kurt Busch	Ford	Rubbermaid	92.879	77.133	-0.611
6	#29	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	GM Goodwrench Service	92.840	77.165	-0.643
7	#2	Rusty Wallace	Dodge	Miller Lite	92.822	77.180	-0.658
8	#24	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	DuPont	92.800	77.198	-0.676
9	#21	Ricky Rudd	Ford	U.S. Air Force	92.732	77.255	-0.733
10	#20	Tony Stewart	Chevrolet	Home Depot	92.666	77.310	-0.788
11	#8	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Chevrolet	Budweiser	92.541	77.414	-0.892
12	#9	Bill Elliott	Dodge	Dodge Dealers	92.453	77.488	-0.966
13	#12	Ryan Newman	Dodge	ALLTEL	92.427	77.510	-0.988
14	#18	Bobby Labonte	Chevrolet	Interstate Batteries	92.335	77.587	-1.065
15	#77	Dave Blaney	Ford	Jasper Engines & Transmissions	92.316	77.603	-1.081
16	#99	Jeff Burton	Ford	CITGO	92.293	77.622	-1.100
17	#6	Mark Martin	Ford	Viagra	92.200	77.701	-1.179
18	#09	Scott Pruett	Dodge	Target	92.178	77.719	-1.197
19	#22	Ward Burton	Dodge	Caterpillar	92.111	77.776	-1.254
20	#15	Michael Waltrip	Chevrolet	NAPA Auto Parts	92.073	77.808	-1.286
21	#25	Joe Nemechek	Chevrolet	UAW/Delphi	92.022	77.851	-1.329
22	#154	Todd Bodine	Ford	National Guard	91.983	77.884	-1.362
23	#5	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet	Kellogg's/got milk?	91.911	77.945	-1.423
24	#38	Elliott Sadler	Ford	M&M's	91.828	78.015	-1.493
25	#10	Johnny Benson	Pontiac	Valvoline	91.804	78.036	-1.514
26	#42	Jamie McMurray*	Dodge	Havoline	91.679	78.142	-1.620
27	#40	Sterling Marlin	Dodge	Coors Light	91.673	78.147	-1.625
28	#0	Jack Sprague*	Pontiac	NetZero HiSpeed	91.573	78.233	-1.711
29	#88	Dale Jarrett	Ford	UPS	91.511	78.286	-1.764
30	#23	Kenny Wallace	Dodge	Stacker 2	91.488	78.305	-1.783
31	#19	Jeremy Mayfield	Dodge	Dodge Dealers	91.456	78.333	-1.811
32	#16	Greg Biffle*	Ford	Grainger	91.454	78.334	-1.812
33	#41	Casey Mears*	Dodge	Target	91.388	78.391	-1.869
34	#74	Tony Raines*	Chevrolet	Staff America	91.332	78.439	-1.917
35	#45	Kyle Petty	Dodge	Georgia Pacific	91.121	78.621	-2.099
36	#4	Johnny Miller	Pontiac	Kodak Perfect Touch	91.053	78.679	-2.157
Provisional
37	#48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	Lowe's	74.119	96.655	-20.133
38	#32	Ricky Craven	Pontiac	Tide	-	-	-
39	#7	Jimmy Spencer	Dodge	Sirius Satellite Radio	90.808	78.892	-2.370
40	#30	Steve Park	Chevrolet	America Online	89.889	79.698	-3.176
41	#43	Christian Fittipaldi	Dodge	Cheerios	91.043	78.688	-2.166
42	#49	Ken Schrader	Dodge	BAM Racing	88.896	80.589	-4.067
43	#66	Hideo Fukuyama*	Ford	Kikkoman	89.233	80.284	-3.762
Did not Qualify
44	#14	PJ Jones	Dodge	Harrah's	90.769	78.926	-2.404
45	#33	Paul Menard	Chevrolet	Turtle Wax	89.937	79.656	-3.134
46	#300	Jim Inglebright	Chevrolet	Jelly Belly/NAPA Muffler/Big O Tires	89.048	80.451	-3.929
47	#102	Brandon Ash	Ford	Outdoor Gourmet Kitchens	90.449	79.205	-2.683

* Denotes Rookie

**********************************************

Road course specialist Said wins Sonoma pole

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Boris says: Bud Pole, track record

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Bobby Labonte says hard times have given him strength. Credit: Autostock

Insider's View: Bobby Labonte

As told to Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive

June 18, 2003
1:39 PM EDT (1739 GMT)

Looking back now, last year gave me an entirely new outlook on my career. Coming from 2000, 2001 wasn't terrible. It wasn't as good as 2000, surely, but not awful, either. Then in 2002 we just slid further and further downhill and it tested my patience more than I ever thought possible.

 BOBBY LABONTE

•	Driver Page

•	2003 Stats

•	Driver vs. Driver

•	Join Bobby's Fan Club

Obviously, with the struggles we had and with me being a competitor and wanting to win races, struggling like we did wasn't going to suffice. It wasn't about making money, it was about running well and winning races. So, not being capable of doing that was frustrating.

The biggest and most obvious difference between last year and this year is that we're running well. That has a way of quickly fixing a lot of things and remedying the frustration. It reaffirms what you're out there trying do, what you're spending your life trying to achieve.

You get reassurance that it's about going out there and winning trophies, that the money just comes with it.

I caught myself a while ago thinking about this. We're not happy with the car right now (in practice at Michigan), but it's OK. It was calm. Last year, I would have been in an uproar, not because we were running bad just that week, but every single week. It wasn't just one race. It was an entire season that snowballed.

It got harder and harder, and that resulted in letting steam off that you shouldn't be letting off, which is by no means anyone's fault but mine to let it get to that point. This year is easier because of the good times. You're still busting your tail to get better, but seeing those results makes all that work seem worthwhile. It's not futile.

There's a huge difference there. Last year I'd be frustrated as all get-out right now. This year I'm just like, 'OK, let's figure this out.' I have more patience.

	Labonte is fourth in Winston Cup points heading to Sonoma. Credit: Autostock

I don't think I really learned everything about the importance of patience last year, but I learned a lot. I had to really rethink things and work on my patience. You know you're going to have lows and you need to be prepared to deal with those lows when they come.

Last year was more of a relearning of it, reemphasizing of it and how important it is. It doesn't matter how laid back you are, how patient a person you are. If you want to do well and you aren't, you're going to get pissed off sometimes. You're not going to accept it very well. If you want to do well, sometimes you have to get in an uproar to get that ball started rolling. I did that last year.

And there wasn't a question of if I'd be good again, just when I'd be good again. But we struggled so many times that you tell yourself to shake it off at first, but then it doesn't get any better the next week, and the next week wasn't any better.

We're clawing and fighting and it didn't help much of anything. You're fighting that struggle all year and it seems like it's for no reason. That can drive you about half nuts. I think I was close, but it makes this year seem like a dream.

**************************************************************

**************************************************************

Nadeau says 'thank you' to friends, family, fans

**************************************************************

(dis)believe the dialogue: Sonoma

**************************************************************

Hired guns take aim at Sonoma

**************************************************************

Track Smack: Sonoma

**************************************************************

Track position key to conquering Sonoma

**************************************************************

[freebilly]

Just came past Infineon on my way back from Vallejo. Traffic is backed-up about 5 miles down Hwy 37. Lot's of excitement. Should be a great weekend.

[ysoitanly]

I refuse to support this until I know all of the affirmative action/diversity requirements have been met for this event. /sarcasm

[steveegg]

Very interesting qualifying results. I'm surprised that Kenseth managed 4th, and Johnson (did something break on his car because that is an incredibly-slow time) Fittipaldi and Fukuyama had to take provisionals.

For the record, that makes the "hired guns" 4 for 6, with the "record-breaking" (in quotes because the track layout changed again this year, IIRC) pole and 3rd.

[NormsRevenge]

Weather looks great, not too hot.

[RichardW]

For the life of me I don't understand why Boris Said doesn't have a regular ride in Winston Cup. Some the hangers on can't even break into the top 10 in an entire season and he is sitting on the bench.

[JoeFromCA]

I've got to rekindle my interest in NASCAR somehow. My already slightly dwindling interest dwindled even more after Earnhardt was killed. He was such a great personality to watch and listen to; the younger guys just can't compete with such a good ol' boy.

Also have to wish "Infineon" were still Sears Point; can't get used to that either.

But I do like the motorcycle races at Sears Point, aka Infineon. I took Keith Code's motorcycle racing school up there; it's a great track for bikes.

[SevenofNine]

Hey Norm rackkk ittt

Hey did you hear about latest buying spree NASCAR going be start by sponder by NEXTEL Wireless

WHY DUDE WHY that suck phone company I THINK LOL!


Also did you hear about Lipton Tea dump Dixie Chicks country singer band

IN FAVOR for NASCAR racers according to today of BRIT FT

[steveegg]

For the life of me I don't understand why Boris Said doesn't have a regular ride in Winston Cup.

Did you take a look at that mug of his? He looks nothing like either a "good ole' boy" or Flash Gordon <VBG>

Seriously, his background is in road-racing cars, and not knowing whether he wants a full-time ride here, I can't say that he's ever really pursued it. IMHO, somebody ought to give him a shot at an oval.

[steveegg]

Also did you hear about Lipton Tea dump Dixie Chicks country singer band

IN FAVOR for NASCAR racers according to today of BRIT FT

The last thing I've seen regarding Lipton (which I don't drink because I hate tea) and the Blixie Chicks was that Lipton had pulled some ads featuring the Blixies but was still sponsoring their tour (thread here). There's nothing recent on the Financial Times web site regarding it (the last story was back on April 28).

[PlanoMike]

Watching Nascar on a road course is about as interesting as watching Formula 1!

[WSGilcrest]

If Mikey doesn't rekindle your spirit, your lost!

[WSGilcrest]

I've been sitting here since 6a. START the race already!!!

[WestCoastGal]

OK, will it be the hired guns or someone racing for points?? I'm going to stick with my favs which are 12, 97, 8, 17, 31, 29 and if it's a hired gun look out for Said and Fellows.

Hope it's a great race. I hate to see the Fox guys leave, they are so much fun to watch. :(

Does anyone know if the "E" Tribute Concert will be televised??

[NormsRevenge]

LOL... Hang in there! Only about 4 or 5 more hours to go.. ouch!

Said, all the way! or 24 or 17 or 97

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the reminder about Earnhardt.

I need to post an "E" article from yesterday's Murky News.

Harvick? He's been pretty quiet all year. Fellows looked good so it could be hired gun time. Nice and sunny today. breezy, maybe 80 degrees. wine cold .. track Hot! boogity .. boogidy .. bugahti :-)

[NormsRevenge]

AFTER HIS DEATH, ALL HAIL DALE
EARNHARDT'S POPULARITY NOT WANING
By Mark Emmons
Mercury News

Mercury News Archives

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Southern rock anthem ``Free Bird'' blares over the loudspeakers as shoppers browse through the NASCAR bazaar that has set up shop at Infineon Raceway.

In the days before Sunday's race, merchandise trailers are selling T-shirts, hats and every conceivable knickknack bearing the likeness, colors and numbers of stock-car racing's biggest drivers. But the crowd around one rig is larger than the rest. The words on the black trailer read: ``The Legacy Lives On . . . ''

Always larger than life, Dale Earnhardt Sr. has become even bigger in death.

``People sometimes still get very, very emotional,'' said the saleswoman behind the counter, who doesn't want to give her name. ``They still can't believe he's gone.''

Twenty-eight months after he was killed at the 2001 Daytona 500, Earnhardt remains one of NASCAR's most popular figures. It goes beyond appreciation for the way the legendary driver helped transform NASCAR into a mainstream sport -- one that probably will draw more than 100,000 spectators to the Dodge/Save Mart 350 on Sunday.

For many of NASCAR's loyal fans, The Intimidator's absence still feels like a death in the family.

``When he passed away, I cried for a day and even my wife didn't understand that besides my dad, he had the most influence on my life,'' said Gary Narasaki, 39, of Martinez, who, as a third-generation Japanese-American, initially identified with the No. 3 on the side of Earnhardt's black Chevy Monte Carlo. ``I know that sounds weird coming from a native Californian who is talking about a guy from North Carolina that he never even met.''

Clearly, others share that passion.

Earnhardt merchandise sales remain in the Top 5 on the NASCAR series. Even on Northern California freeways, it's common to see No. 3 decals on windshields. At the mall you can find a new signature line of Dale Earnhardt leather jackets. Next week the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert in Daytona Beach, Fla., will feature acts such as Brooks & Dunn and Sheryl Crow.

``Some people looked at him like he was Elvis Presley,'' said Kevin Harvick, the Bakersfield native who took over Earnhardt's car. ``They followed him religiously for years and years.''

If the comparisons between Earnhardt and Elvis seem a stretch, just remember that those wacky supermarket tabloids have printed stories about ``sightings'' of the famous driver's ghost.

A `normal' superstar

Explaining Earnhardt's enduring appeal isn't easy. Fans say either you get it or you don't. But Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of communications, who has been around the sport for 30 years, has a theory.

``The drivers are normal people,'' Hunter said. ``They aren't pampered, and Earnhardt was the epitome of the non-pampered superstar. He still liked to drive heavy equipment like bulldozers. He liked to bale hay.''

Love him or hate him -- and there were those who were turned off by his aggressive driving style -- there was no denying that Earnhardt made a connection. Perhaps people sensed that, deep down, he was just one of them.

A ninth-grade dropout, Earnhardt got plenty of grease under his fingernails working as a mechanic in the early '70s to finance his weekend race habit. He burned through two marriages because he spent more time racing than with his family before establishing himself as the baddest good ol' boy.

Earnhardt, with his roguish grin, would eventually earn the nickname The Intimidator for his tradin'-paint style of driving. He won seven Winston Cup titles and 76 races over 27 years.

``He was `The Man in Black,' '' driver Jeff Gordon said. ``I knew that didn't make him a bad guy because off the track he wasn't. But on the track he played that evil guy with the black car and using his bumpers. When you're the total package like Dale was, you're going to have lots of admirers.''

Then, on Feb. 18, 2001, he hit the wall at Daytona International Speedway, at more than 180 mph, just short of the finish line. He was 49.

``I've been around long enough to remember great drivers like Fireball Roberts and I know how good David Pearson and Richard Petty were,'' Hunter said. ``But I think it surprised everyone in the industry to see the outpouring of emotion. You'd see these all-night vigils in places like Montana or Colorado.''

That visceral outpouring of grief only confirmed what NASCAR officials had been saying for years -- their sport had become a national force, expanding beyond the Mason-Dixon Line. In a macabre way, his death raised NASCAR's profile further.

NASCAR is in the process of shedding its Southern roots. It just added a second Southern California race and replaced politically incorrect R.J. Reynolds Tobacco with cell phone giant Nextel as the series' title sponsor.

Earnhardt's crossover appeal helped pave the way for those sort of changes.

``He's pretty much responsible for getting our sport where it is today,'' Harvick said. ``He's the reason why most people watch us.''

Annual tribute

Dale Earnhardt Inc., now run by his widow, Teresa, has opened up its Mooresville, N.C., home office each year on the anniversary of his birthday. On April 29, about 13,000 people made the pilgrimage to the place nicknamed the Garage Mahal. Five states also declared that date ``Dale Earnhardt Day.''

Many of his fans have adopted Dale Earnhardt Jr. as their favorite driver, which explains why he sells more merchandise than anyone else. The rise of the son also has added a dynastic quality to the Earnhardt saga -- something that marketing-savvy NASCAR tries to encourage.

Others prefer to stick with Dale Sr.

Friday, fans were getting their pictures taken next to a giant No. 3 plaque at a section of Infineon known as Earnhardt Terrace.

Back at the merchandise trailer, Gene Williams, 64, of Corte Madera, said he and his wife sobbed for two days after Earnhardt died.

``I didn't know if I wanted to follow NASCAR anymore,'' Williams said.

But he was at the track Friday, wearing a No. 3 hat and buying an Earnhardt T-shirt. He carried a book he bought on QVC that bears Earnhardt's autograph. It's part of his Earnhardt memorabilia collection that Williams estimates is worth $5,000.

``I'll probably leave that stuff for my grandsons,'' Williams added. ``It will be their inheritance.''

[AGreatPer]

"Watching Nascar on a road course is about as interesting as watching Formula 1!"

I find it a nice change Mike. Finally, they take off the rope tied to the steering wheel and have to make a right turn.

[AGreatPer]

"NASCAR is in the process of shedding its Southern roots"

Nahhh. Will never happen.

Great article Norm. Thank you.