Since NASCAR first introduced the open road course events they have either been the subject of much love… or much hate. It depends on where you are coming from. Some drivers, not to mention the fans, grow weary of races involving only left turns… all day long. I mean, you don’t even have to guess. It’s all to the left.
So, two road course races were installed… much to the delight of the drivers with road course experience and to the utter exasperation of those unaccustomed to turning to the right. Most of the fans love it… mostly. But the guys that really have it tough for the road course races are the handicappers.
Many of the guidelines they have used all season long to set the odds and matchups go out the window on road courses. Some of the top NASCAR drivers just cannot make the transition while others… perhaps not so high up in the point standings… seem to excel.
The LVH SuperBook in Las Vegas has given Marcos Ambrose the nod this year making him the favorite to win at Sonoma by a margin of 7-to-2 even though he has never won there. Ambrose has established himself over the past four seasons as one of the finest road course drivers on the circuit… he won the last two races at Watkins Glen… the other NASCAR road course race.
The beautiful Sonoma Raceway, located near the California capital of Sacramento, is a 1.99 mile long road course featuring 10 turns… both right and left hand turns… oh my… and even involves elevation changes as well. The course is a bit more technical than the faster Watkins Glen track.
Over half of the drivers running at Sonoma will not feel exactly at home there which is why we see about 10 cars listed at 15-to-1 odds to win and all the rest of the field going off at 20-to-1 or better.
The current leader in the Sprint Cup Series is, once again, Jimmie Johnson. Johnson has worked at it to become a very strong road racer these days. He has finished seventh or better in his past four starts at Sonoma and will start this one at 7-to-1 along with Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart who have also proven themselves adapt at making both left and right turns.
Clint Bowyer won at Sonoma in 2012 and will start the 2013 event at 12-to-1.
