Excitement Builds All Weekend For Infineon
Show-Down on Sunday

SONOMA, CA (April 30, 2006) - As always, Infineon Raceway provides some of the best racing that the American Stockcar Challenge experiences during the year. Some of the tightest, most exciting races always happen on this track. This is why it is a favorite racetrack for many of the world's biggest race groups. This weekend was no disappointment in that regard for most of the ASC competitors. Nineteen ASC competitors and three other stockcars joined in the competition, along with five Pro Trucks that made the track from Southern California. One of the changes in the usual Infineon races was that this time ASC would be using the NASCAR chute configuration, which is the same 2.0 mile track that the Grand National West and Nextel Cup competitors will be using in June. This is an exciting, fast, and challenging track change that ASC has not used in the past.

The test day, normally on Friday, had to be on Thursday this time due to a conflict with an Infineon Corporate Day event. Many of the competitors made it up for the Thursday test, leaving their family and work even longer than normal. The majority of the test day was on the full track configuration, however, Infineon officials kindly allowed the ASC competitors two 45 minute session on the Chute for final tuning. As always, the test day competitors get a chance to fine- tune their cars for the event.

On Saturday morning, practice was held in conjunction with the CMC, FFR, and AI race groups, putting more than 60 cars on the track at wildly various speeds. There were no incidents reported, however, and everyone practiced unscathed. The groups were slated to qualify together as well, given the limited amount of time NASA officials had available to fit all the various groups into the weekend. It was decided that the session would be split into two different 10 minute qualifying sessions, with ASC taking the first session and getting off of the track fast for the second group to qualify. The times were very quick, as Ken Stinnett ended up with the pole position with a 1:22.015, followed by Mike Arnheiter, Mike Speakman, Jeff Glowniak, and Manuel Gil del Real. The top eight were separated by a mere 9/10th of a second. Kevin O'Connell actually turned in a time that was quite a bit faster than that of Stinnett, however, he was on the wrong tire as a result of a miscommunication with ASC officials regarding the use of the 2603 and the 2602 tires. The 2602 was the designated tire for the weekend. As a result, and due to no fault of his own, his time was disallowed.

As the sun was waning in the west, Ken Stinnett brought the field to the green flag and all 26 competitors shot up to turn one. The race ran green for several laps, with Stinnett leading Arnheiter, Glowniak, Gil del Real, and the rest of the ASC field. O'Connell came from the back of the pack, passing at will on the slower traffic. Mike Speakman made a hard charge to the front as well. Belinda Endress and Dave Arnheiter had a very tough race for the final position of the top five. On lap five, Manuel Gil del Real's rear differential broke exiting turn eleven, leaving him stranded on the front straight. Race officials took the entire course to yellow for several laps as the safety crews removed the # 27 car from the racetrack. As the field went back to green with the single file restart, everyone made up as much ground as they could vie to get as many positions as they can. At the checkered flag, Ken Stinnett hung on for the win with O'Connell dogging him hard. They were followed by Mike Arnheiter, Jeff Glowniak, and Dave Arnheiter. Unfortunately for Mike Arnheiter and Glowniak, during post race tech, both of their cars had more timing than is allowed and each was disqualified.

Top Five

Ken Stinnett
Kevin O'Connell
Dave Arnheiter
Al Balding, Jr.
Mike Speakman

Sunday's events began with the same practice as the day before with more than 60 cars on the track, and once again, the groups practiced without incident. Qualifying proved more difficult as both use a qualifying race to determine qualifying positions for Sunday's race. The top six positions were inverted for the ASC qualifying race, placing Mike Speakman on the pole. (Scott Ivie was driving another stockcar and even though he was not running for points, ASC officials decided to start the other cars where they ran in the race on Saturday. Ivie finished in the fifth place overall on Saturday, but Speakman was the fifth place ASC car.) Speakman took the green flag and the race began. It took a mere two laps before the leaders were lapping the other race groups. All of the ASC competitors used the traffic for their advantage as much as possible and for the most part, the racing was exceptionally clean. Al Balding, Jr. held off everyone except O'Connell, after starting from the outside pole, to finish second in the qualifying race. Stinnett ended up third, with Speakman and newcomer, Keith Drake, rounding out the top five.

Sunday's race was the climax of the weekend, with everyone anxiously awaiting the start of the race. O'Connell took the green this time and immediately was pressured by Stinnett from behind and Balding from the side. Speakman got a great start and got past Stinnett into turn one. Stinnett and Speakman hit side to side exiting turn two, both didn't give an inch. Speakman got the worst of it and was spun into the middle of the field. Unbelievably, no one hit him and he was able to continue after losing several spots. Several competitors had to go to the dirt to avoid the incident, but the racing continued. Scott Ivie, trading his other stockcar for his ASC car for this race, screamed down into turn eleven and his rear brakes locked up. His #47 car slid right-side first into the end of the pit entrance wall, flipped high in the air, and landed on the wall. (Certainly one of the most spectacular incidents to watch since Stinnett and Glowniak's incident at Thunderhill last year where Stinnett earned frequent flyer bonus points for his time in the air.) Ivie emerged from the car completely unscathed and the car ended up only partially damaged. These cars are VERY TOUGH!!!! The race was red-flagged as the safety crews cleared the wrecked car and rebuilt the barricade. Once the racing resumed it was an 8 lap charge to the checkered flag. At the checkered flag, Kevin O'Connell held on for the win, followed by Balding, Stinnett, Glowniak, and Dave Arnheiter.

Top Five

Kevin O'Connell
Al Balding, Jr.
Ken Stinnett
Jeff Glowniak
Dave Arnheiter

ASC races next at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California on May 27/28. This is sure to be another heart-stopping event with lots of hard fought battles and great racing. Be sure to visit the official ASC website for more information at www.ASCRacing.com for more information.