The current Infineon Raceway NASCAR track configuration is 1.99-miles with ten turns. This layout dates back to 1999. Race distance this weekend for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Spint Cup race will be 218.9 miles or 110 laps. The 350 comes from measuring the distance in klicks. JEFF GORDON/Chevrolet holds the qualifying track record of 75.950/74.325 mph set in 2006; RICKY RUDD/Ford holds the race record of 81.007 mph/2.42.08 set in 2002.
Spotters (who must have a NASCAR license) are required by NASCAR, and at Infineon Raceway the teams must have one, but many have two. Some drivers, such as DAVID GILLILAND/No.71 TRG Chevrolet, use three. The mandatory location is high up on the hill overlooking Turn Two, and it’s staffed with NASCAR officials, to take roll and to facilitate communication between NASCAR and the teams. A driver isn’t allowed on course until his spotter, or scorer, has checked in.
Anther location is on top of the Drag Tower in the infield opposite Pit Lane. Gilliland’s third spotter location is on the outside of Turn Seven.
NASCAR also requires each driver to provide a scorer to work in Timing & Scoring as a back-up system for the computerized/transponder system. NASCAR is slowly working on weaning away from the manual backup system. The Camping World Truck Series is the first of the top tier series to only use technology for its primary and backup systems. The Nationwide Series will go technical-only at its two road course races this year.
As if it wasn’t already obvious, all the Cup cars are required to have a sticker on their front driver’s side windshield ‘post’ which says “NASCAR Race Car”. It’s all about branding.