VIDEO // THREE LAPS OF INFINEON IN CAHILL'S TURBO MIATA

Our friend Nick Cahill just posted this video to his Facebook page. Filmed during a recent track event, enjoy three laps around Infineon Raceway aboard Nick's rather absurd turbocharged Mazda Miata // [comment]

NASCAR // SCENES FROM THE SAVE MART 350 @ INFINEON

Friday afternoon was the first practice session for the Sprint Cup cars. I have to say that the sound of raw American V8 power is quite enjoyable. After practice was qualifying where each driver gets just one hot lap to put in their best time. If they make a mistake, there is no chance for a re-do... [read more]

Watching the drivers hustle these heavy powerful cars around the road course is quite exciting. The cars slide around a lot getting sideways under acceleration out the corners. Greg Biffle, a native of my hometown of Vancouver, WA is seen here leaping over the curbing on the outside of turn 4. The drivers come over the hill through turn 3 and then a steep hard braking zone before they smash the cars over the inside curbing and get up on two wheels. Then they run wide and jump over the outside curbing and use as much of the paved runoff area as possible.

The fans were out in force throughout the weekend. Here is a serious Kevin Harvick fan all decked out in the appropriate uniform. As a photographer, colors like these are what I live for.

I don’t quite understand how they get the trucks so tightly packed but somehow they do.

Fences, fences, fences…and more fences. This is what I was constantly having to work around, or most of the time having to work through for the whole weekend. It was a constant challenge trying to find locations with the least fencing in the way.

When I arrived at the track I couldn’t really believe how many people there was. The amount of motor-homes was astonishing as well. It would be great if the other American sports car and open wheel series could draw this many fans.

When the race started, polesitter Kasey Kahne led into the first corner, however by the end of the first lap Jimmy Johnson had already taken the lead. Kahne continued to fade down the field while Johnson started to pull away from the pack. Not to far was the Australian Marcos Ambrose who had been fastest in all of the practice sessions.

Farther down in the pack Montoya was having a steady run, working his way slowly up the field. Battling with Jeff Gordon for a while and then later Scott Speed, the Columbian had a solid run as could be expected on a road course from the former F1 driver.

Watching the cars from across the track, you could really get a feel for how much speed these guys were carrying through the esses on the backside of the course. These cars fly!

RedBull DTM driver Mattias Ekstrom flew out to have a taste of NASCAR and is the first Swede to ever start a race in the series. Having only driven a cup car once before in a test, this was quite a big challenge and was not in contention for a win. Here he is seen diving to the inside of Scott Speed in the second RedBull Toyota.

There was no doubt going to be some accidents, which led to yellow flags, which then led to double file restarts. These add to the excitement of the race by bunching the pack together for the restart. Here a number of cars are pictured through the NASCAR “chute” which connects turn 4 to turn 7.

Another angle of the same area of track on a different restart. It’s quite a site to see this many cars running so close together.

During the caution periods the teams took the time to pit the cars for fuel and new tires. At first the pits look calm as the crews waits for their cars to arrive…

…but then it turns into a complete jungle of color, motion, and noise. Although different pit strategies saw the leading cars get shuffled to the back at different times during the race, it was really just the two car fight between Ambrose and Johnson.

Ambrose was able to take the lead from Johnson and was on course to his first ever Sprint Cup win since moving over from the Australian V8 Supercar series a few years ago. The Aussie was able to hold off Johnson for a couple of the late race restarts and he looked sure to take the victory. However, trying to save fuel, he slowed down too much on one of the yellow flag pace laps. For this NASCAR gave him a penalty for not maintaining reasonable speed and was dropped down six places. This gave way for the double J of Jimmy Johnson to take his first road course win and his 51st career win.

Another brilliant California sunset signaled the end of the day which had brought heartbreak for some and joy for others.

Photo/Editorial: Camden Thrasher

TURNING LEFT & RIGHT // TOYOTA SAVE MART 350 PREVIEW

In the past, we have tended to stay away from the world of NASCAR, but considering that ColdTrackDays is dedicated to reporting on motorsport news and culture from around the world, it is hard to ignore the most popular form of motorsport in America. There are some that are of the opinion that NASCAR is not “real racing” but I question their reasoning and whether they have even experienced an event in person. What is “real-racing” anyway? Personally I have always wanted to see what a top class NASCAR event is like and what better way to experience this than at the first road race of the 2010 Sprint Cup season... [read more]

The track, Infineon Raceway, has been around since the late sixties and has hosted a round of the top stock car series for a number of years now. Built on the rolling hills in the middle of California’s wine country, the track is constantly twisting and changing elevation. This is a challenging course for even the best GT racer, let alone a heavy stock car designed mainly for turning in a single direction.

On Thursday the teams arrive and get their equipment set up. The trailers are works of art, chrome and flashy colors are the name of the game here.

The NASCAR fan base is incredibly huge. People come from all over the country to support their favorite drivers such as Tony Stewart.

…and of course, Ricky Bobby.

The setting sun shines brilliantly over the hillside illuminating the grandstands and pit complex. With the little taste I got today, I’m getting the feeling that this will be quite a show come race day. I can’t wait for what tomorrow will bring when the cars take to the track for practice.

Images and Editorial: Camden Thrasher

DOMESTIC INDULGENCE // GRIGGS RACING GR40RT @ INFINEON

Those of you that know me, know that I have an unapologetic soft spot for American made cars. Of those cars, the Ford Mustang holds a special place in my heart. What was both my first car and my current choice of transportation, the Mustang is, in my opinion, an example of everything good about the American automobile industry, absent of all that over indulgent, too big for their own good stuff we've grown accustom to (example).

That said, follow the link for a look at Darrell Anderson's newly constructed 2004 Griggs Racing GR40RT Mustang. Making just over 500rwhp, Anderson's Mustang set a new lap record at Infineon Raceway (1:45:101) when it made its racing debut in the American Iron Extreme class late last year... [read more]

EVENT // KINOD CAPTURES FORMULA D @ SONOMA

Last weekend, while many of us in the Northwest enjoyed the fleeting moments of summer, Kinod photographer and ColdTrackDays contributor, Jesse Lee, left his home in LA and soon found himself deep in California's wine country for the 6th round of the 2009 Formula DRIFT Championship. What follows is a mere preview of the incredible photo gallery Jesse put together from this event. So take the jump, enjoy a few shots from Sonoma and be sure to check back for more from Mr.Lee... [read more]









Round 6: Locked and Loaded Event Results
1. Verdier, Stephan Cooper Tire / Crawford Performance Subaru STI Winner
2. Gushi, Ken RS*R Scion Racing TC 2nd Place
3. Miki, Ryuji APEXi / Hankook Mazda RX-7 3rd Place

Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2009 Point Standings
1. Forsberg, Chris NOS Energy Drink / Maxxis Nissan 350Z 470 Points
2. Tuerck, Ryan Gardella Racing / Mobil 1Pontiac Solstice 414 Points
3. Gittin, Vaughn Falken Tire Ford Racing Mustang GT 401.50 Points
4. Hubinette, Samuel NuFormz Dodge Viper 399.25 Points
5. McQuarrie, Tyler Falken Nissan 350Z 396 Points
6. Foust, Tanner Rockstar / Hankook Scion Racing tC 373 Points
7. McNamara, Darren Falken / Sears Auto Center Saturn Sky 370.50 Points
8. Verdier, Stephan Cooper Tire / Crawford Performance Subaru STI 364 Points
9. Nishida, Robbie Hankook Tires / Dynamic Autosports Nissan 350Z 362.25 Points
10. Pawlak, Justin Bergenholtz Racing / Nitto Mazda RX-8 354 Points
11. Miki, Ryuji APEXi / Hankook Mazda RX-7 341.75 Points
12. Gushi, Ken RS*R Scion Racing TC 333.50 Points
13. Brakohiapa, Tony Cooper Tire Ford Mustang 331 Points
14. Petty, Ross Garage Boso / Falken Nissan S15 329 Points
15. Aono, Taka Technosquare Toyota AE86 Corolla 321.25 Points
16. Mordaunt, Patrick PM Racing Nissan S13 317.25 Points

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Photo Gallery - Formula DRIFT Round 6 @ Sonoma

Photo: Jesse Lee
Editorial: Justin Coffey

NEWS // DARIO TAKES POLE TO PODIUM WIN @ INFINEON

Last weekend the Indy Racing League stopped at Infineon Raceway for the 2009 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. In a race that saw Dario Franchitti run from pole to podium, with little interruption, follow the link for the highlight reel and complete results... [read more]



Heading up the hill, the field met a bit of resistance as they funneled through turn 2. Helio Castroneves, who is currently 4th in points, was unable to avoid contact during the lap one incident and was forced to retire early.

Avoiding the turn 2 incident, Franchitti went on to lead 75 of 75 laps.

Tony Kanaan, who would finish the day 8th overall, collected a few points this weekend and maintains his 7th place standing in the championship.

Franchitti leads Ryan Briscoe through the esses. Briscoe, who is currently 1st in the points standings, would finish 2nd on the day.

Franchitti leads a pair of Penske-Racing cars toward the checkered flag.

Complete Results // 2009 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma:
1. (1) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
2. (2) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
3. (9) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
4. (14) Mario Moraes, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
5. (5) Hideki Mutoh, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
6. (17) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
7. (22) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
8. (7) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
9. (18) Raphael Matos, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
10. (15) Robert Doornbos, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
11. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
12. (12) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
13. (10) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
14. (4) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
15. (19) Richard Antinucci, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running
16. (11) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 74, Running
17. (21) Milka Duno, Dallara-Honda, 71, Running
18. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 66, Contact
19. (16) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 65, Mechanical
20. (8) Franck Montagny, Dallara-Honda, 57, Handling
21. (6) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 30, Mechanical
22. (13) E.J. Viso, Dallara-Honda, 0, Contact
23. (23) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 0, Did Not Start
24. (24) Nelson Philippe, Dallara-Honda, 0, Did Not Start

IndyCar Series Point Standings:
Briscoe 497
Franchitti 493
Dixon 477
Castroneves 371
Patrick 335
Andretti 323
Kanaan 318
Wheldon 306
Rahal 301
Mutoh 297

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Photo: SPEEDtv
Editorial: Justin Coffey

BRAVE SOULS // GARY SHEEHAN & BRUCE MCLAREN'S M6B

Powered by a 650bhp Chevrolet V8 and tipping the scales at a feather weight 1600lbs, the McLaren M6B is a fine example of mid-60’s horsepower, aerodynamics and insanity. Raced to victory in 1968 by Bruce McLaren himself, the M6B featured above was an evolution of the car that won the Can-Am series two years in a row, and was recently acrquired by the gentlemen at Easy Street Motorsports. So sit back, turn up the sound on your laptop and enjoy a few hot laps around Infineon Raceway with Gary Sheehan at the wheel... [read more]




Video: 0-60 Magazine
Photo: WheelGood

NW NATIVE TAKES WIN @ INFINEON // TOYOTA/SAVE-MART 350

Northwest native and former NASCAR rookie of the year, Kasey Kahne, has collected his first victory of the 2009 season. Having qualified fifth ahead of this weekends Toyota/Save-Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Caifornia, Kahne was quick to take advantage of the chaos that ensued during a number of restarts, making his way to the front of the pack. From there he didn't look back, taking the checkered flag ahead of Tony Stewart and Marcos Ambrose.

His first victory of the season and first ever on a road-course, Kahne was ecstatic with the result. Additionally, Kahne was happy to have brought Richard Petty his first NASCAR victory since John Andretti won at Martinsville for the since-deceased Petty Enterprises in 1999.

Click here for complete results from the Toyota/Save-Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway // [comment]