Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

New Infineon course a hit with IRL racers

Bruno Junqueira led the testing field at Infineon Raceway on Thursday as 14 IndyCar Series drivers tried out the 2.245-mile course in advance of the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County from Aug. 22-24.

Junqueira covered the 12-turn circuit in 1 minute, 17.75 seconds, beating the time Dale Coyne Racing teammate Mario Moraes, who posted Wednesday's top time of 1:19.4. Junqueira has never raced at Infineon Raceway before.

Vitor Meira followed at 1:17.80 and defending race winner Scott Dixon turned in a 1:17.90 seconds. Marco Andretti (Andretti Green Racing), the 2006 race winner at Infineon Raceway, was fourth-fast on Thursday (1:17.97).

Thursday marked the first large-scale test of the modified version of the road course that will be used by the IndyCar Series next weekend. The modified course is designed to create a new passing zone in Turn 7.

"I think you will see some new passing with this change," said Meira, who had a best finish of third at Infineon in 2006. "It's a tough corner because you're going from the fastest section of the track to the slowest, but it should be good."

Tickets range from $10-$65 for one day or $65-$85 for the weekend. Parking is free. For information call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

• WEST SERIES FINALE — Due to construction delays at Kern County Speedway in Bakersfield, the Camping World West Series finale has been moved to the renovated All American Speedway in Roseville on Oct. 25.

Escalon's Eric Holmes, the 2006 champion, leads the points standings with three races remaining. Modesto's Mike David, the definding champion, is third. They race Saturday in the Pipe Careers 200 at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale.

"It's a huge deal," said Holmes' team owner Bill McAnally, who helped secure the event. "It's going to be a lot of fun to have the season finale right here at home."

• KNOLL OFFICE SEARCHED, at Decatur, Mich. — Internal Revenue Service agents raided the business office of Evan Knoll, president and chief executive of Torco Racing Fuels Inc. and one of drag racing's biggest names.

IRS spokesman Stephen Moore said the agents executed a search warrant at the office in downtown Decatur, about 150 miles west of Detroit.

Agents also had a search warrant for a residence in the southwestern Michigan village, but Moore declined to say whose home it was or what the agents were seeking.