Race 2 Win: Dodge/Save Mart 350

Nextel Cup Series

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Dodge/Save Mart 350 - Ryan Newman Notes

Ryan Newman/Infineon Advance

Notes:

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, will make his fourth Infineon Raceway start and his 132nd in the NASCAR Cup Series this Sunday.

In his three previous Infineon starts, Newman has posted two top-10 finishes. Newman finished ninth in his road course debut at the Northern California facility in 2002. He finished fifth in 2003 and posted his worst finish, 14th, at the raceway last year.

After winning the pole position at Michigan International Speedway last Saturday, only seven tracks remain on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series circuit where Newman has yet to earn a pole. Both road course tracks, Infineon and Watkins Glen, remain on that list.

Infineon is one of the few tracks where Newman has a higher finishing average than starting average. Newman's average start at Infineon: 13.30. Newman's average finish at Infineon: 9.30.

In six career road course starts, Newman has posted four top-10 finishes, two at Infineon and two at Watkins Glen International. Newman possesses an average finish of 10.83 in his six road course starts.

Matt Borland, crew chief of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, is taking chassis PRS-74 to Infineon Raceway this weekend. PRS-74 has never been raced.

Newman and the Alltel team continue to lead all NNCS teams with 14 top-10 starts this season. Newman possesses an average start of sixth this season.

Newman and the Alltel team are seventh in the NNCS point standings. The team was ninth in the standings at this point in the 2004 season.

The Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway will air live on FOX at 2:30 p.m., EDT, on Sunday, June 26, and also can be heard on PRN Radio.

Quotes:
Newman on road course racing: "I actually like road course racing. It's a good change of pace from the tracks we normally race on each weekend. It's a new challenge. The Alltel team hasn't had a pole or a win at a road course yet, so that's definitely a goal we've set for ourselves. We've had our share of success at road courses, but last year we seemed to struggle a little bit. We're hoping to turn that around this weekend.

"We, as a team, treat all races equally and that includes road course races. We know it's an extra challenge, but that just makes us work harder. There are just as many points at stake this weekend as every other weekend this season. The 'Chase' is nearing, and every point is valuable. So, we'll do our best to make some points up this weekend."

Stats:
Infineon Raceway Starts: 3
Road Course Starts: 6
Best Infineon Start: 13 (2003)
Best Road Course Start: 5 (2002)
Best Infineon Finish: 5 (2003)
Best Road Course Finish: 2 (2002)

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