The 2011 Indy Grand Prix Of Sonoma Preview

Infineon Raceway,( formerly Sears Point Raceway) is a 2.52 miles (4.06 km) road course that the IZOD Indy Car Series come to every year. Sunday August 28^th, the IZOD Indy Car Series drivers roll into Infineon Raceway with a couple things in mind: After Sonoma, there is only four races left on the schedule-That is not much time to try and beat Dario Franchitti off the top of the points standings. Every driver will be pushing the limits in Sundays race. They will also be trying to get a win or at least a good finish and earn some points. Before the race started, the IZOD Indy Car drivers Practiced and Qualified. There was also some big stories going into the race Sunday.

Dario Franchitti was nearly a half- second behind will power during last Thursday’s test a Infineon. Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti ran just five laps in Friday’s practice and set the best time of the day at 1:19.426. Sam Schmidt Motor sports/AFS Racing rookie Martin Plowman jumped to the top of the time charts in Saturday morning’s second practice session. In Qualifying, Penske racing took the first 3 spots on the starting grid: Will Power claimed the pole for the race, Helio Castroneves starts 2^nd and Ryan Briscoe starts 3^rd.

Team Penske driver Will Power was fined $30,000 by IZOD Indy Car Officials for making an obscene gesture at the end of Sunday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Will was upset at the decision to restart the race on Lap 217, while the track was still very slick from rain. The restart caused a big wreck and the Indy Car officials decided to end the race early. Will Power jumped out of his car furious and went looking for the Indy Car officials. During a live TV interview he flashed the middle-finger salute with both hands.

So we all know by now that Danica Patrick is leaving Indy Car in 2012 to go to NASCAR, but Go Daddy. COM is going to be staying. Andretti Auto Sport and GO DADDY will remain partner in the IZOD Indy car series. There have been reports that GO DADDY might be on the side of Andretti’s three (of four) cars in 2012.

Simona de Silvestre will not be racing this weekend because she was having trouble with her US VISA and could not make it to the race on time. Simon Pagenaud will be subbing for Simona.

So who has the best chance at winning Sunday? There are two guys that have been dominate all year: Will Power and Dario Franchitti. Will is the “king of the road courses” and I truly believe you will see Will Power or Dario win at Infineon Raceway.

Race Fans: Make sure you tune into Versus Sunday, August 28^th- 4 p.m. ET and get ready to see some great road course racing!

　

　

To see the complete results of qualifying, click on the link below

　

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/indy-car/results/?sc_id=3155&se_id=77