Sonoma creates Chase opportunity for Marcos Ambrose, other road course specialists

When NASCAR restructured the qualifying process for the Chase for the Sprint Cup in the offseason, a great opportunity became more obtainable for the sport’s smaller teams -- those without the resources of, say, Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing.

No longer would a driver need to demonstrate a high level of consistency over six months. The key going forward was winning -- by any means possible -- and to do that just once all but ensured a playoff berth.

But through 15 of 26 regular season races, there have been no breakthroughs or Cinderellas emerging. Instead, drivers comprising the powerhouse outfits of Hendrick, JGR, Stewart-Haas Racing, Team Penske and Roush Fenway Racing have taken all the checkered flags in 2014. This held true even at two tracks where unpredictability often reigns -- Daytona (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) and Talladega (Denny Hamlin).

Another chance for a Cinderella presents itself Sunday in the form of the first road course of the season. And unlike the number of intermediate ovals that predominantly make up the schedule and give larger teams a decided advantage, a driver from a mid-pack organization will be the favorite to win at Sonoma Raceway.

That driver is Marcos Ambrose of Richard Petty Motorsports.

Recognized as one of the very best road racers NASCAR has ever seen, Ambrose owns a pair of victories at Watkins Glen, the other road course on the Sprint Cup schedule. And since NASCAR announced its modified Chase format, Ambrose has had Sonoma and Watkins Glen circled on his calendar.

“We know the two road races are our best chance to win a race this year,” Ambrose said. “That will automatically lock us into the Chase. Clearly there’s a lot to race for at these two tracks for us.

“It certainly would make our year. ... I haven’t made it to the Chase yet. This format will give us our best chance to do it, if we can win a race at either Watkins Glen or Sonoma. We know that. It would really make our year, no doubt about it.”

A victory would be gargantuan for Ambrose and RPM, earning both their first playoff appearance -- something which before this year was virtually unfathomable.

Because points are inconsequential for a group whose best -- and perhaps only -- shot lay in winning either Sunday or in August at Watkins Glen, Ambrose and team are prepared to gamble accordingly.

“You’ve got to win, that’s what NASCAR is all about,” Ambrose said. “The new points format and the way they’ve set it up this year, winning is everything. We’re not racing for points right now, we’re racing for wins.”

Ambrose isn’t alone in viewing Sonoma as more than just another race. It’s an opinion he shares with fellow noted road racer AJ Allmendinger, who along with Ambrose tested for two days at the Northern California track in preparation for Sunday.

A member of the single-car JTG Daugherty Racing, Allmendinger understands the challenges he faces in getting into the Chase. To do so he needs to win. And what better place for the former IndyCar driver to do just that than on a road course, where the playing field is leveled similarly to Daytona and Talladega.

Yet unlike Ambrose, who has two Cup wins to his name, Allmendinger is winless in NASCAR’s top division, though he won two Nationwide Series road course events last year at Road America and Mid-Ohio.

But whereas Ambrose and Allmendinger each acknowledge the opportunity Sonoma brings, there is a noticeable contrast in their mindsets. Ambrose sees this weekend almost with a single-minded focus.

“There’s pressure building, there’s a chance to lock yourself into the Chase, which would make your season,” Ambrose said. “You get a chance to win a Sprint Cup race, which you don’t get to do very often. What I do this weekend is not try to think about it. Be normal and try to relax.

“I don’t do anything special this week in preparation for it. But I also know there’s a lot on the line and that pressure is all present. Whatever you can do to try to minimize the pressure is a good thing.”

As for Allmendinger and his approach, it would best be described as even-keeled.

“We can’t put every egg in one basket and say we have to win this race because if we do then it’s just disappointing if we don’t,” Allmendinger said. “If we go there and have a solid day and just have a chance to win the race, that’s all we can do. I hope we can do that.”