Nemechek Looking to Change Infineon Raceway Record

SONOMA, Calif. (June 20, 2007) -- At first glance the numbers don't seem right to Joe Nemechek. And the folks who have closely watched his performances on the NASCAR road courses would also agree.

But the statistical fact states that Joe Nemechek is still seeking his first top-10 finish at Infineon Raceway, site of this weekend's Nextel Cup race. His best result at Infineon in 11 attempts was 11th in 2000.

Qualifying has been a different story for Nemechek at the 1.99-mile Northern California road course. He has started inside the top 10 five times, including two of the last three years.

"That's hard to believe about not having any top 10s at Infineon," said Nemechek, who has five top 10 finishes at the Watkins Glen road course. "I know I've had some great runs at Infineon, but obviously something must have happened to spoil the performances."

Broken transmissions, flat tires, wrong end of the pit cycle, spin-outs and being collected in accidents have ruined a number of strong performances by Nemechek at Infineon. His most frustrating misfortune occurred in 2004 when he was solidly running in the top five before a faulty transmission slowed his pace on the 10-turn circuit.

Nemechek, who will drive the No. 13 Haier Chevrolet this weekend, is unlike a number of NASCAR drivers who would rather have a root canal than compete at a road course. He truly enjoys the twist and turn tracks.

"I absolutely love road racing," said Nemechek, a native of Lakeland, Fla. "I grew up near Sebring Raceway and spent a lot of time there as a kid watching the best road racers in the world compete in their exotic prototype machines."

"I'm not concerned about those statistics at Infineon," offered Nemechek. "I know I can run well there in the Haier Chevy. Hopefully this will be the weekend that it all comes together and I will have my first top five or top 10 finish."