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NASCAR is back for its 20th year at Infineon Raceway, with the popular Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend (presented by Big O Tires) from June 20 to 22 right around the corner.

It was 19 years ago that Ricky Rudd won the NASCAR Cup debut at Infineon - before that day, the Valley raceway was a track that had struggled to survive for two decades, searching for an identity and trying to carve a path for the future. NASCAR changed all that.

"Clearly, (NASCAR racing) brought Infineon to a new level," said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. "If NASCAR hadn't come to the track, and certainly if (owner) Bruton (Smith) had not bought the track, it would be a much different facility, probably operating at a local level as opposed to a top-level professional facility. Bringing cup racing to Infineon Raceway is probably the single most important economic milestone in this track's history." It's one of only two road courses that NASCAR uses every year. And for my money, it's two of the best events on the NASCAR calendar, the other road course being Watkins Glen in upstate New York.

"It's one race on the schedule that I absolutely love and look forward to coming and running," said Tony Stewart, a two-time winner at Infineon. "We've had success out there ... but I always love coming to the area. It's an awesome crowd that's very energetic and loves to see the cup series run there, and it's a track that I really have a lot of fun driving on."

That's a sentiment echoed by many drivers. "What's so special about Infineon Raceway is it's so difficult," said Carl Edwards, who had a best finish of sixth at Infineon in 2006. "I grew up racing on a 3/8-mile dirt track in Missouri. To come to a twisting, turning, uphill, downhill road course where you're shifting gears in a 3,400-pound stock car - against guys like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart and Boris Said - is a very, very tough thing. To be able to come here and win a race would be one of the most satisfying wins in all of NASCAR."

Juan Pablo Montoya was last year's winner.

The weekend will also feature competition in the Bennett Lane Winery 200 (presented by Supercuts) NASCAR Camping World Series West event on Saturday.

NASCAR tickets cost $25 to $130 for a single day or $99 to $180 for the weekend - parking is free.

START TIMES

Friday, June 20: Sonoma County Vintners NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pole Day, 4:05 p.m.             

Saturday, June 21: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice, 10:50 a.m.; Bennett Lane Winery 200, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 22: Toyota/Save Mart 350, 2 p.m.

TERRY LABONTE WILL take over the wheel of the No. 45 Marathon/Wells Fargo/PVA Dodge for Petty Enterprises at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Infineon Raceway the June 20 to 22 weekend.

Kyle Petty, who usually pilots the No. 45 Dodge, will step away from the car at Infineon Raceway and head to the TNT broadcast booth. This will make Labonte the only driver to compete in all 20 NASCAR Cup events at Infineon Raceway - the series first visited the Valley in 1989.

In addition, Marcos Ambrose will take over the reins of the No. 21 Little Debbie Ford for Wood Brothers Racing. This will mark the Australian's first visit to the Sonoma Valley road course. Ambrose races full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

FOR YOU DIEHARD fans, several NASCAR drivers will be at Infineon Raceway today, Tuesday, to test the twists and turns of the Valley road course in advance of the upcoming Toyota/Save Mart 350.

NASCAR drivers expected to attend today's test day include Ambrose (No. 21 Little Debbie Ford), J.J. Yeley (No. 96 DLP HDTV Toyota), Sam Hornish Jr. (No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge), David Ragan (No. 6 AAA Ford) and Travis Kvapil (No. 28 Yates Racing Ford). Testing runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public, free of charge.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend or other 2008 major events at Infineon Raceway, or for more information, call (800) 870-RACE (7223), or visit www.infineonraceway.com, or www.ticketmaster.com.

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