| Type: | NASWINSTON |
| Scheduled Mi: | 218.9 |
| Pole Driver: | Tony Stewart |
| Distance Mi: | 218.9 |
| Pole Time: | 1:16.640 |
| Year: | 2002 |
| Race Name: | Dodge/Save Mart 350 |
| Race No: | 16 |
| Season No: | 36 |
| Date: | June 23 |
| Course Mi: | 1.99 |
| Scheduled Km: | 352.285 |
| Distance Km: | 352.285 |
| Scheduled Laps: | 110 |
| Location: | Sonoma, California, Infineon Raceway |
| Course Km: | 3.20 |
| Distance Laps: | 110 |
| Official Name: | 14th Annual Dodge/Save Mart 350 |
| Avg: | 81.007mph |
| Radio: | Performance Racing Network |
| Announcers: | Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, Darrell Waltrip |
| Network: | FOX |
| Car: | 28 |
| First Driver: | Ricky Rudd |
| First Team: | Robert Yates Racing |
| Most Laps: | 31 |
| Most Team: | Hendrick Motorsports |
| Most Driver: | Jeff Gordon |
| Pole Team: | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| Caption: | The 2002 Dodge/Save Mart 350 program cover. |
The 2002 Dodge/Save Mart 350 was the 16th stock car race of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 14th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, June 23, 2002, in Sonoma, California, at the club layout in Infineon Raceway, a 1.99miles permanent road course layout. The race took the scheduled 110 laps to complete. Ricky Rudd, driving for Robert Yates Racing, would take advantage of a disaster-stricken Jerry Nadeau when Nadeau suffered rear end problems while leading with three to go.[1] [2] The win was Rudd's 23rd and final NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his first and only win of the season. To fill out the podium, Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing and Terry Labonte of Hendrick Motorsports would finish second and third, respectively.
Infineon Raceway is one of two road courses to hold NASCAR races, the other being Watkins Glen International. The standard road course at Infineon Raceway is a 12-turn course that is 2.52miles long;[3] the track was modified in 1998, adding the Chute, which bypassed turns 5 and 6, shortening the course to 1.95miles. The Chute was only used for NASCAR events such as this race, and was criticized by many drivers, who preferred the full layout.[4] In 2001, it was replaced with a 70-degree turn, 4A, bringing the track to its current dimensions of 1.99miles.[5]
The first practice session was held on Friday, June 21, at 10:20 AM PST, and would last for two hours.[6] Ryan Newman of Penske Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 1:16.664 and an average speed of 93.447mph.[7]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ryan Newman (R) | Penske Racing | Ford | 1:16.664 | 93.447 | |
| 2 | 20 | Tony Stewart | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 1:16.679 | 93.428 | |
| 3 | 97 | Kurt Busch | Roush Racing | Ford | 1:16.704 | 93.398 | |
| Full first practice results | |||||||
The second practice session was held on Saturday, June 22, at 9:30 AM PST, and would last for 45 minutes. Rusty Wallace of Penske Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 1:17.455 and an average speed of 92.492mph.[8]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 1:17.455 | 92.492 | |
| 2 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 1:17.491 | 92.449 | |
| 3 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 1:17.496 | 92.443 | |
| Full second practice results | |||||||
The third and final practice session, sometimes referred to as Happy Hour, was held on Saturday, June 22, at 11:15 AM PST, and would last for 45 minutes. Robby Gordon of Richard Childress Racing would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 1:16.110 and an average speed of 94.127mph.[9]
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | Robby Gordon | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 1:16.110 | 94.127 | |
| 2 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 1:16.926 | 93.129 | |
| 3 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Ford | 1:16.940 | 93.112 | |
| Full Happy Hour practice results | |||||||
Qualifying was held on Friday, June 21, at 2:05 PM PST. Drivers would each have one lap to set a lap time. Positions 1-36 would be decided on time, while positions 37-43 would be based on provisionals. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on owner's points. The seventh is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race. If no past champ needs the provisional, the next team in the owner points will be awarded a provisional.[10]
Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing would win the pole, setting a time of 1:16.640 and an average speed of 93.476mph.[11]
Two drivers would fail to qualify: Stacy Compton and Brandon Ash.