Top Tier Elite Deadline Analysis: Infineon Toyota / Save Mart 350

Marcos Ambrose

What I said about him earlier this week:

Ambrose has raced at Infineon four times and he’s been good in all of them, even when he finished 42nd (transmission failure, Yahoo! race chart). In 2010 Marcos Ambrose had this race won but he made a bad judgment call by turning off his car while leading late under caution (didn’t maintain track position, finished 6th). Last year Marcos Ambrose finished 5th, but he was  never really  a challenger for the win. In fairness though that was his first road course race in an RPM car. I think Macros Ambrose will strongly be considered a favorite to win by experts following his win at Watkins Glen last year. At The Glen Ambrose has 2.3 average finish. When you take away his transmission failure at Infineon a few years ago his overall road course average finish is 3.3.

Starting Position: 1st

Practice Average Speed Ranking: 1st

Chassis Selection:

Marcos Ambrose will pilot a chassis that he tested at Virgina International Raceway.

Pit Stall Location:

Marcos Ambrose is pitting in pit stall #11. He has a clear entrance out of his pit box and Brian Vickers is pitting behind him. His pit stall is strategically a few feet from the start finish line.

Areas of concern:

My only concern with Marcos Ambrose is if fuel mileage becomes the deciding factor in this race. If it is the difficulty level for him will be much higher.

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Jimmie Johnson

What I said about him earlier this week:

In 2010 Jimmie Johnson got his long-awaited and justifying road course win at Sonoma. It should be noted though and perhaps asterisked that it wouldn’t of happened if Macros Ambrose didn’t shut off his engine during a late caution while attempting to coast up a hill. Last year Johnson finished 7th and had a strong car all afternoon (Yahoo! Race Chart). No driver has been better than Johnson in the last three races here. In this short time span he has a 4th place average finish and a 119.2 driver rating (best in both categories). Johnson is also one of only three drivers who have three consecutive top ten finishes at Infineon, the others are Jeff Gordon and Marcos Ambrose.

Starting Position: 3rd

Practice Average Speed Ranking: 10th

Chassis Selection:

Jimmie Johnson will pilot the same chassis he’s used in the last three races at Sonoma (Finished 4th, 1st and 7th). A proven car on a “skill track” is a good combination to have as a fantasy pick.

Pit Stall Location:

Jimmie Johnson is pitting in pit stall #23. He has a clear entrance out of his pit stall and Regan Smith is pitting behind him.

Areas of concern:

I have no concerns regarding Jimmie Johnson.

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