Thanks a lot guys,'' he said Thursday to Sears Point officials in mock exasperation. Welcome to Winston Cup racing where times are always changing. Among the seasoned road racers it's not popular, but the bulk of the drivers who spend 31 of 33 Winston Cup races on oval tracks it couldn't have happened sooner. The re-configuration trims the course from 2.52 miles to 1.95 and from 12 turns to 10. There are fewer laps, fewer passing zones and more speed.
Spectators are the biggest winners.
Tons of dirt was moved from inside the track, which with the shorter laps makes for better site lines. But it has come out exceptionally well. Well over 100,000 fans are expected in the wine country for what has become Northern California's largest-attended sporting event. Only the course in Watkins Glen, N.Y. has a similar configuration. It's an ultimate test for unexperienced drivers with both left and right turns, shifting and breaking.