Amborse must outrun Stewart and Busch at Infineon

Infineon Raceway Sonoma -- 06/21/2009

Author: Jeremy Dunn

Published: Thursday Jun 18 2009 10:24am

1. Marcos Ambrose: 8/1 odds

Ambrose could join teammate David Reutimann and Brad Keselowski as first-time winners in 2009. He is a road racing specialist, so anticipate solid outing for the Australian native.

In 2008, Ambrose posted a finish of 42nd, but he had a top five car. He finished third at Watkins Glen. He has two career starts at road courses.

2. Tony Stewart: 5/1 odds

Aside from Jeff Gordon, Stewart may be the best road racer of our generation with six wins this decade. His last win on a road course occurred in 2007 at Watkins Glen. It will be interesting to see how solid his road course program is as a team owner.

In 2008, Stewart finished tenth at Infineon. In ten career starts, Stewart has two wins, three top five finishes, and six top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 10.0.

3. Kyle Busch: 6/1 odds

Kyle Busch boasts the previous two road course victories. Once again, he should be a threat to win on Sunday. He is closing in on Gordon and Stewart as NASCAR’s top drivers on road courses.

Busch is the defending winner of this race. In four career starts, Busch has one win, one top five finish, and two top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 15.0.

4. Robby Gordon: 15/1 odds

After sweeping the road course races in 2003, Gordon has yet to win. Nevertheless, he is always one of the drivers to beat on the tracks with left and right turns.

In 2008, Gordon finished 36th. In eleven career starts, Gordon has one win, two top five finishes, and three top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 22.1.

5. Juan Pablo Montoya: 7/1 odds

Montoya captured his first Sprint Cup win at Infineon two years ago. With open-wheel roots, Montoya is an international superstar on road courses. Win number two could be this weekend.

In 2008, Montoya finished sixth at Infineon. He won at Infineon in 2007, so he has an average finish of 3.5.

6. Jeff Gordon: 5/1 odds

Gordon has not won a road course race since Infineon in 2006. While he should be considered a heavy favorite, his nagging back pains could hinder his chances of winning on Sunday.

In 2008, Gordon finished third at Infineon. In sixteen career starts, Gordon has five wins, ten top five finishes, and twelve top ten finishes. He has an average finish of 9.3.

7. Ryan Newman: 25/1 odds

Newman is perhaps the most underrated road course racer in NASCAR. He won at Watkins Glen in the Busch Series in 2005. He finished second in this race three years ago.

In 2008, Newman finished seventh at Infineon. In seven career starts, he has two top five finishes, five top ten finishes, and an average finish of 9.4.

8. Kurt Busch: 20/1 odds

Like Newman, Busch’s road racing prowess is underrated. Expect both the older Busch brother to contend for a top five or ten finish.

In 2008, Busch finished 32nd at Infineon. In eight career starts, he has three top five finishes, three top ten finishes, and an average finish of 19.1.

9. Kevin Harvick: 25/1 odds

The race at Infineon is a breath of fresh air for Harvick, who is undergoing the worst season of his career. He is one of the top five road racers in Sprint Cup.

In 2008, Harvick finished 30th at Infineon. In eight career starts, he has two top five finishes, two top ten finishes, and an average finish of 17.0.

10. Jimmie Johnson: 25/1 odds

Johnson has won just about everything you can win in NASCAR; however, a road course win eludes the three-time champion.

In 2008, Johnson finished fifteenth at Infineon. In seven career starts, he has one top five finish, two top ten finishes, and an average finish of 19.3.

Keep an eye on Carl Edwards (20/1 odds), Greg Biffle (30/1 odds), Jamie McMurray (20/1 odds), Mark Martin (25/1 odds), and Denny Hamlin (25/1 odds)

Great dark horse picks include Boris Said (30/1 odds), Ron Fellows (30/1 odds), Max Papis (100/1 odds), MartinTruex Jr (100/1 odds), and Patrick Carpentier (30/1 odds)

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