Dodge/Save Mart 350 - Michael Waltrip Notes

Ironman, Michael Waltrip holds the record for most Winston Cup laps completed at Infineon Raceway. Through 14 races, or 1,224 laps, Waltrip has completed 1,218.

"I've always enjoyed going to California and racing," Waltrip said. 'I've had a lot of solid and steady runs. We've been pretty consistent. We haven't won and we haven't finished in the top-five, but we've had a few top-10 finishes. I really expect to go to California with a chance to win the race. I believe that we have the team and ability to win to there. I know how to road race, but not because of any one reason; I just always have. Part of being successful is not messing yourself up. I think there has only been one race when I didn't finish on the lead lap and there was a big accident that I got tangled up in and we lost a few laps.

"Preparation for road racing isn't any different than it is for everywhere else these days," Waltrip continued. "The intensity's turned up higher to go anywhere these days and road racing is just two of the places on the list. It's still worth the same amount of points. Once we close the books on Sonoma, we have a weekend off and we're going to go down to Daytona for the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert. I'm looking forward to refreshing a little bit and starting the second half of the year by defending our win of the race there (Daytona) last July."

Last Year in Sonoma: Waltrip maintained top-15 status for most of the 110 laps but wound up with a 22nd-place finish after spinning twice in the last 10 laps of the Dodge/Save Mart 350. The NAPA car was nudged by Bobby Labonte the first time it spun and the second time the No. 24 car driven by Jeff Gordon almost stopped in front of the No. 15 car.

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