Double-file restarts not a concern at Infineon

By Mike Smith (contact)

Monday, June 22, 2009 | 3:47 p.m.

One of the big topics heading into Sunday’s race was the question of how the double-file restarts would play out at the road course. There was speculation that we’d see a lot of torn up sheet metal as the cars raced side-by-side for the lead in the narrow turns. Juan Pablo Montoya said on Friday: “I think everybody is thinking about surviving and running as well as you can …”

Fortunately, the restarts produced some exciting, fender-banging competition that was free of the race-delaying spins and caution flags that could have materialized on the restarts. At a track where passing is difficult, the new rule added more opportunities for competitive racing.

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Speaking of restarts, Kasey Kahne must have taken a few lessons from restart master Kyle Busch as he was able to hold off the competition during four restarts in the last 20 laps of the race. It was an impressive performance from Kahne whose best finish at Sonoma prior to winning on Sunday was 23rd in 2007. “Kasey just never made a mistake at the end,” said Tony Stewart after the race. “He did an awesome job those last 20 laps and just never slipped a wheel, never missed a corner.”

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Is it time to include a road course in the Chase? After watching the race at Infineon, I’m beginning to think it is. In theory, the Chase tries to incorporate tracks that represent the majority of tracks that host events during the regular season. But a road course race would add a nice twist to the final ten-race segment.

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One thing I love about the road-course TV coverage is the camera shots of the drivers’ footwork. It’s interesting to see the different styles, whether it’s the heel-and-toe method on the brake and throttle or the left foot on the break, right foot on the gas method. The rhythm and level of coordination needed by the drivers is fascinating to see in action. I need to learn how to do this with my car. Although there isn’t as much footwork being used at the oval tracks, I would still like to see these camera shots used throughout the season.

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Seeing Richard Petty return to victory lane was like experiencing a pleasant flashback. The last time he visited victory lane as a car owner was 10 years ago.

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Here's a link to an interesting New York Times story about the Ford Family's influence on the Ford Motor Company.

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