Modesto's Mike David seeks perfection at Infineon Raceway this weekend

Mike David goes into West event leading in points, just like last year

By KELLY JONES
kjones@modbee.com

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Consistency has paid off so far for Modesto's Mike David. On Saturday, he'll shoot for perfection.

David figures running a mistake-free stock-car race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma should keep him on top of the NASCAR Camping World Series West standings.

The defending champion of the touring series hasn't had the best luck on the Sonoma track, but his subsequent performance on a road course in Utah gives him hope that will change in the Bennett Lane Winery 200.

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After finishing 22nd in Sonoma last June -- David ran into the tire wall in turn 11, which probably cost him a top-10 finish -- he won the pole and placed third in July at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.

"As a driver and as a team, we didn't make any mistakes," David said. "The potential is there. If we don't make any mistakes, we'll finish well."

Just as he was this time last season, David is protecting a points lead. But the competition is a little closer. Eric Holmes of Escalon is 35 points behind David, who held a 108-point lead over Mike Duncan heading into the 2007 Sonoma event.

Holmes isn't closer to David in just the points race. Their shops share the same building in Salida with Holmes renting space to David until his new garage is built. That gives the drivers plenty of opportunity to rib each other and trade parts.

"This year is a little different because Eric is chasing us," David said. "Not to sound cocky or anything, but I knew it was going to be that way with the two of us at the top. He tells the TV cameras he's a better driver. That's fine. I'm still leading."

David said he can't worry too much about where Holmes is -- on the track or in the standings. David said his position will take care of itself if he takes care of his car. He's learned a lot about how to do that in Sonoma.

In his first race at Infineon Raceway in 2006, David finished 29th after being involved in a wreck on the first turn of the first lap.

David said being too aggressive hurt him last year. He qualified ninth after spinning out during time trials, and he took a turn too fast with nine laps left in the race, tearing up the driver's side of the car.

He didn't lose much ground in the points race, though, emerging with an 84-point lead.

Not having to drive from the middle of the field would help his cause Saturday, so qualifying well today is more important than ever.

David said he isn't feeling any more pressure than usual to win with his primary sponsor, Bennett Lane Winery, serving as the race's title backer this year.

"I always want to win," he said. "Ultimately, I want to win 10 races and the championship. Realistically, you want to do well enough to be ahead at the end of the year."

David points to fellow series driver Austin Cameron as an example of someone who had a great year -- winning five races in 2004 -- but didn't win the championship.

Holmes has won three races this season to David's one, but David has earned more points because of his consistency.

He's the only driver to complete every lap through five races. David's worst finish was 15th in a combined East-West Series event in Newton, Iowa, on May 18. He was the fourth-fastest West driver in the field.

"We're pretty decent everywhere," David said. "I've got a great bunch of guys. They have so much passion and love for the sport. I don't think people realize how much that means."

David said being able to call on volunteers who treat auto racing more like a hobby than a job will definitely benefit him this week as he prepares three cars for the race.

He has his car, one for Troy Ermish of Fremont and one for road-course specialist P.J. Jones, who finished second last year in a car also sponsored by Bennett Lane Winery.

Winning his second race of the season would be great, but it won't be the only thing that would satisfy David on Saturday. As long as he retains his lead, racing door-to-door with Holmes the rest of the season will keep their friendly rivalry fun for David.

"If both of us end up in the top five, it will be pretty tight until the end of the year," he said.

Bee staff writer Kelly Jones can be reached at kjones@modbee.com or 578-2300.