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Each and every year, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers face a host of road course "ringers" -- drivers who do the lefts and rights for a living -- in the two road course events that the series runs.Friday afternoon at Infineon Raceway in California, the Sprint Cup drivers seemed to still get the best of the "pros".
Kasey Kahne -- Kasey Kahne! -- won the pole for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350k with Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, and Jeff Gordon wrapping up the Top-5.
The highest driver who falls into the "ringer" category is Marcos Ambrose in 7th, though Ambrose is a regular driver in the Nationwide Series. Robby Gordon in 8th could be considered a ringer, but he does run the entire Sprint Cup schedule despite being noted for his road course and off-road driving skills.
Boris Said qualified in 14th while Ron Fellows was the next highest in 22nd. Scott Pruett and Max Papis went 27th and 28th consecutively and Brian Simo wound up 43rd. Brandon Ash failed to qualify.
The road course ringers have long been favorites to win these road course events, but history has proven those instances few and far between. Simply, NASCAR Sprint Cup races are tremendously tough to win in the first place, and then, these road course aces have to deal with drivers who are not afraid to beat and bang.
I'd also have to say that the other major variable for the ringers is the sheer weight of the cars. Sprint Cup stock cars are much, much heavier than typical road course vehicles, making them much harder to sling around the tight corners.
That said, I won't be picking a road course ace Sunday -- the favorites will be up front and easily.
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