After starting 21st and falling to 25th after lap one of the 110-lap SaveMart 350k NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Sonoma Raceway, Tony Stewart quickly regrouped. With the opening-lap jousting over as the field became more strung out, Stewart set his sights on expertly navigating the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course in California’s wine country.
Stewart wheeled his No. 14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet SS to 14th just past the race’s halfway mark and continued to climb as the race neared its end. With less than 25 laps to go, Stewart was sixth, and thanks to a lap-72 pit stop, was one of only a few drivers who could make it to the finish without pitting.
But when the caution flag flew on lap 92, it proved to be a game changer. Fuel strategy was out the window, for anyone who couldn’t make it the rest of the way on fuel could now fill their tanks under the relative calm of the caution. On top of that, it allowed drivers to get fresh tires.
Stewart had 20 laps of green-flag racing on his tires. And after the caution, there would be at least 16 more laps of green-flag racing. If Stewart stayed out, drivers behind him who opted to pit for four new tires would have a decided advantage in the closing laps. Any track position Stewart could possibly gain would be in jeopardy as soon the race restarted. Stewart’s old tires would be no match for the clean Goodyears of his competitors.
The decision to pit was an easy one. With four fresh tires and a full tank of fuel, Stewart returned to the race in 10th. And as a two-time Sprint Cup winner at Sonoma, a top-10 starting position for one last run to the checkered flag boded well for Stewart.
But that promise ended when NASCAR caught Stewart speeding on entry to pit road. The penalty was to restart at the tail-end of the lead lap, which jettisoned Stewart to 31st when racing resumed on lap 95.
The Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet was still strong, and Stewart made the most it, rallying to 19th when the checkered flag waved.
TSC PR
