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Patrick Long captures checkers at Infineon
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SONOMA – Patrick Long, of Thousand Oaks, took the checkered flag in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Series West Bennett Lane Winery 200 presented by Supercuts at Infineon Raceway, but was penalized for rough driving following the race giving the win to his teammate Jason Bowles of Ontario.

Sprint Cup rookie Joey Logano led the race on the final lap of the 64-lap event, but was hit from behind by Long in the turn #11 hairpin and spun. Logano recovered to cross the finish line well back in the 17th spot.

Afterward, officials penalized Long a lap for rough driving dropping him to 23rd and awarded the win to Bowles. David Mayhew, of Astascardero, ended up second and defending series champion Eric Holmes, of Escalon, finished third.

“Actually, the real winner here today is my teammate Patrick Long,” confided Bowles. “I was just the beneficiary of some rough driving. We were in the right place at the right time at the end.”

Long started from the pole and held the lead for the opening 19 laps before making a green-flag pit stop for fuel. Logano, who had opted to stop for fuel earlier during a caution on lap 14, restarted the race in 22nd and worked his way through the field to take the lead on lap 26.

Long eventually made his way back up to second place and harassed Logano over the closing laps, setting up the wild finish.

Stockton’s Ross Strmiska finished the race in 12th, Modesto’s Mike David was 15th and Oakdale’s Wes Banks was 26th.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota/Save Mart 350 Notes:
Despite an off road excursion during his qualifying lap that cost him a starting spot in Sunday’s race in his Red Bull #82, Manteca’s Scott Speed will be in the starting line up Sunday’s after his team secured the #87 car qualified by Joe Nemechek. Marcos Ambrose qualified third for the race, but will start in the back after blowing his engine in Saturday practice. David Gilliland, who was to start 32nd, will also move to the back after he was forced into his backup car following a practice accident. Sunday’s race will be televised on TNT beginning at 12:30.

To contact Dale Bosowski, e-mail dalebosowski@yahoo.com.