Toyota-Save Mart 350-Sonoma Pre-race Thread

This is how the new group qualifying format goes:

  • There will be no random draw for qualifying order.
  • Cars will be separated into groups of five or six to go out together.
  • Group assignments will be based on practice times in the first practice session Friday at Sonoma.
  • Within each group, cars will be separated from fastest to slowest, thus the fastest car in each group goes out first and has a clean track.
  • Cars in the same group will be released in five-second intervals.
  • Each group has about a five-minute window to complete its qualifying. NASCAR estimates that each car likely will complete three laps during that time.
  • If time runs out while the driver is in the middle of their lap, they're allowed to complete it.
  • Each group’s time begins when the first car receives the green flag at the start/finish line.
  • If a caution comes out during a session, it is like a timeout, the clock is put no hold.
  • The fastest lap counts.
  • The field will be set based upon qualifying speeds.

http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/R...013/06/Sonoma-Group-Qualifying-Explained.aspx
 
FLRacingFan said:
This is how the new group qualifying format goes:

  • There will be no random draw for qualifying order.
  • Cars will be separated into groups of five or six to go out together.
  • Group assignments will be based on practice times in the first practice session Friday at Sonoma.
  • Within each group, cars will be separated from fastest to slowest, thus the fastest car in each group goes out first and has a clean track.
  • Cars in the same group will be released in five-second intervals.
  • Each group has about a five-minute window to complete its qualifying. NASCAR estimates that each car likely will complete three laps during that time.
  • If time runs out while the driver is in the middle of their lap, they're allowed to complete it.
  • Each group’s time begins when the first car receives the green flag at the start/finish line.
  • If a caution comes out during a session, it is like a timeout, the clock is put no hold.
  • The fastest lap counts.
  • The field will be set based upon qualifying speeds.

http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/R...013/06/Sonoma-Group-Qualifying-Explained.aspx
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That sounds awesome!!
 
what day do they qualify? is this the same way that formula one does it?
 
I love road racing but dont like Sonoma because there is not enough passing zones. Still, they can be exciting.
 
StandOnIt said:
they were trying to get away from villeneuve
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BOWTIE GUY said:
is this the same way that formula one does it?
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Not really. F1 has group qualifying, but it's different than this. F1's qualifying sessions are similar to practice sessions, anybody can come and go from the garage as they please and run as many laps at they want. But, F1 teams are limited to a specific number of tires per weekend, so teams generally don't run more than a few laps during each qualifying session, as not to wear out the tires.
 
Drove by this race track while on vacation, needless to say I couldn't convince the tour guide/group to make a quick stop so I could pick up a souvenir.:mad:
 
EI2IC said:
Drove by this race track while on vacation, needless to say I couldn't convince the tour guide/group to make a quick stop so I could pick up a souvenir.:mad:
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Were you on a wine tasting tour in the Napa valley?
 
EI2IC said:
Drove by this race track while on vacation, needless to say I couldn't convince the tour guide/group to make a quick stop so I could pick up a souvenir.:mad:
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Same here, a few years ago. It was in November though. Pretty cool to just look out the side of the car and see the facility.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Same here, a few years ago. It was in November though. Pretty cool to just look out the side of the car and see the facility.
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Yeah it was cool to drive by, the European tourist actually seemed interested in it, kept pointing and saying NISCAR NISCAR!
 
EI2IC said:
Yup, was up there last week. We tried to plan being up there during the race but work got in the way. Beautiful area Sonoma/Napa Valley, had no idea the track was literally right off the highway.
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Doncha hate when that happens ?
 
EI2IC said:
Yup, was up there last week. We tried to plan being up there during the race but work got in the way. Beautiful area Sonoma/Napa Valley, had no idea the track was literally right off the highway.
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I'm going to be there in September. When someone else is paying the tab, you work around their schedule.

James Finch must figure since he's getting out before Watkins Glen then there's no sense in hauling a road course car back to the shop. I'm putting the over / under on 'Cars Jacques damages' at 5. 'Damage' is defined as the other car having to pit, not just trading paint. Place your bets...
 
Top 12 Driver Rating at Sonoma:
#78-Kurt Busch................................ 107.8
#14-Tony Stewart............................. 107.5
#9-Marcos Ambrose....................... 106.8
#24-Jeff Gordon.............................. 101.1
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya................... 97.8
#48-Jimmie Johnson.......................... 96.6
#15-Clint Bowyer............................... 93.3
#18-Kyle Busch................................. 92.8
#39-Ryan Newman............................. 89.9
#99-Carl Edwards.............................. 84.9
Elliott Sadler............................... 84.9
#1-Jamie McMurray.......................... 84.4
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2012 races (eight total) among active drivers at Sonoma Raceway.
Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.(NASCAR)
 
I was pretty disappointed as we go this race every year, but I made a major career change and it wasnt cost effective to spend the money this year....well that all has changed. My wife's co worker also works the event and he scored us a pair of all access passes. So we will be cruising a golf cart around the pits and then watching the race.

I'm ****** stoked bitches
 
clarkfn2284 said:
I was pretty disappointed as we go this race every year, but I made a major career change and it wasnt cost effective to spend the money this year....well that all has changed. My wife's co worker also works the event and he scored us a pair of all access passes. So we will be cruising a golf cart around the pits and then watching the race.

I'm ******* stoked bitches
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Yahoo. Good deal.:D
 
clarkfn2284 said:
I was pretty disappointed as we go this race every year, but I made a major career change and it wasnt cost effective to spend the money this year....well that all has changed. My wife's co worker also works the event and he scored us a pair of all access passes. So we will be cruising a golf cart around the pits and then watching the race.

I'm ******* stoked bitches
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Congrats on the passes. I don't care for road courses but i do watch when there's not a commercial on!!;)
 
:confused: Why does the fact you are able to "scrounge" tickets make us bitches? o_O
 
BamaFan said:
Congrats on the passes. I don't care for road courses but i do watch when there's not a commercial on!!;)
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The more that I see them the more and more I like them. They are great live if you know where to sit so that you can see a majority of the race. THe fun thing is that each turn has it's own characteristics that makes it interesting. We have gone to 5 of the last 6 Sonoma races. I went to my first one w/ my Pops back when Stewart won in the Gibbs car. The year after he passed my wife and I went. It used to fall on Father's Day weekend. Usually we go with friends or last year we took her Dad to his first Nascar race. This year we lucked into it.

I would love to take my 1 1/2 year old son because he loves the cars, but I dont think any of us would survive it.
 
clarkfn2284 said:
He has the talent level to do it, but he is similar to his brother. they are in such a hurry to get to the front that they tear the car up or someone gets them back later in the race
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Don't write Kurt off. He's good at Sonoma. He might not have to be in a hurry to get to the front if he starts there.

Kurt's talent is ridiculous - to be performing the way he has been in that car is remarkable. #Wheelman
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Don't write Kurt off. He's good at Sonoma. He might not have to be in a hurry to get to the front if he starts there.

Kurt's talent is ridiculous - to be performing the way he has been in that car is remarkable. #Wheelman
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oh absolutely. Him and Kyle are two of the most entertaining drivers i have ever seen. They just put cars where your not supposed to be able to. Talent is endless with both of them. Problem that they run into is they are great for the first half, but in the process the beating and banging forces them back in traffic and then someone who they plowed through usually hooks them up towards the end.

You are right however, if Kurt gets out front it could be a long day.
 
clarkfn2284 said:
oh absolutely. Him and Kyle are two of the most entertaining drivers i have ever seen. They just put cars where your not supposed to be able to. Talent is endless with both of them. Problem that they run into is they are great for the first half, but in the process the beating and banging forces them back in traffic and then someone who they plowed through usually hooks them up towards the end.

You are right however, if Kurt gets out front it could be a long day.
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I used to hate Kurt Busch because of that mouth. Although, I did always love a good "Kurt Busch Radio Sweetheart" bit. But whatever anger management program he's on, it's worked wonders. I find myself cheering for him now.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Don't write Kurt off. He's good at Sonoma. He might not have to be in a hurry to get to the front if he starts there.

Kurt's talent is ridiculous - to be performing the way he has been in that car is remarkable. #Wheelman
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but he has a brain the size of a flea.
 
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