Infineon Raceway – SONOMA, Calif., June 20, 2010 – It was the perfect weekend for a Toyota Prius salesman…the perfect place…the perfect time…and the perfect venue. After all, isn't MPG all that really matters?

Fuel economy and racecars usually don't occupy the same space in time but this weekend it was all that mattered for Andrew Ranger, the winner of Saturday's NASCAR K&N West Series race and Jimmie Johnson, the winner of Sunday's NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350. Neither one is in the market for the fuel sipping compact just yet but both won a race by keeping a close eye on the fuel gauge. It pays to be thrifty.

Ranger, a native of Quebec, made his first ever trip to Sonoma and was rewarded with a first place finish in his initial NASCAR K&N Series West attempt. Jason Bowles, the pole-sitter and the defending champ of the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200, finished in 22nd position after he ran out of fuel less than 100 feet from the finish line. He was in second place at the time. When asked about Saturday's win, Ranger said, "This is the first time I've ever been to Infineon to race and it was worth all the time and effort just to get here. You can count on us being at Sonoma again next year."

NASCAR's edict to let the driver's police themselves was put to test for the first time on a road course this weekend. Since the beginning of the year there were numerous instances where things got out of hand and the tit for tat bumping, pushing and rubbing that took place on the oval tracks delighted the fans but concern for the safety of the drivers made one wonder if it was such a good idea after all. Surely things would heat up on the twists and turns of Sonoma's grueling road course. Those individuals who were looking for the mechanical carnage only NASCAR can produce were disappointed and the doomsayers were thwarted by the lack of unsportsmanlike conduct that usually precedes such monumental pileups, with the Jeff Gordon/MartinTruex Jr. flap on Lap 63 being the lone aberration in an otherwise cleanly run race. When the checkered flag was thrown, the drivers uttered a collective sigh of relief that could be heard above the din of the roaring crowd pushing its way toward the Winner's Circle.

Throughout the weekend, the action on the track was supplemented by the Speed Channel Fan Forum, driver meet and greets, and the endless possibilities that a fan might be able to catch a glimpse or perhaps even an autograph of his or her favorite driver. Roger Craig, the San Francisco 49er's favorite son was also on hand to serve as the event's Grand Marshal. This writer caught Craig alone in the Media Tent when he stopped by to grab a soft drink and he was asked what he thought about being at a NASCAR race for the first time. "I've wanted to come to one of these races to see what it's like and to actually take in the flavor of something I heard was pretty special. It's been an honor to serve as Grand Marshal. So far I've liked what I've seen."

Johnson's win on Sunday was the 51st of his career but more importantly, it was his first win on a road course. Up until the caution flag was thrown with 7 laps remaining, it appeared Marcos Ambrose was in control and it became apparent that if he was going to be the first to receive the checkered flag and take the win he needed to nurse his Toyota Camry along for an extra lap or two and ride out the caution, conserving every drop of fuel, even if it meant turning off the engine. This strategy had worked before but good luck didn't prevail this time when his engine stalled and Johnson took advantage of his misfortune to take the lead. Ambrose later finished a disappointing 6th overall.

During the post race interview, it was clear that Johnson conceded to the fact that he needed a mistake by one of the other drivers to occur before he had any chance of winning, especially since Ambrose had finished a strong third last year and posted the fastest time during practice a day earlier.

Like so many other times this season, Johnson's wins came at the expense of others, who either through a lapse of attention or mechanical failures, cleared the way for him to take the gold. Championships take a little talent and a lot of luck … Johnson has enough of both.

Race Statistics
Average speed: 74.4 mph
Margin of victory: 3.10 seconds
Time of race: 2:56:38
Lead changes: 12
Cautions: 7

NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 Top Ten
1) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
2) Robbie Gordon, Toyota
3) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
4) Kasey Kahne, Ford
5) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
6) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota
7) Greg Biffle, Ford
8) Boris Said, Ford
9) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet
10) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet