Allmendinger nervous about Infineon

The Californian, who has had a tough debut season in stock-car racing after being a star in Champ Car last year, is looking forward to the opportunity of showing his talent and experience to the Nextel Cup regulars in the kind of track that he has raced for most of his career.

"The main thing I am looking forward to is getting to turn right again," the 25-year-old joked. "Turning right on an oval isn't so much fun because it means you are heading for the wall!

"But road-course racing is what I've grown up doing and what I am most comfortable  doing. I am nervous about qualifying because you only get one lap to try to make the field. Once I am locked into the race though, I can just relax and do my thing."

The Red Bull driver is realistic about his chances, however, and says that despite his road-racing background he could hardly be a match for some of the Cup regulars who know the track and the cars far better than him.

"These guys have been doing this for a while, so I don't know if I will bring anything to the table against someone like Jeff Gordon," Allmendinger added. "But, I'll definitely be more comfortable driving a stock car this weekend than I have been all year."

Ricky Viers, crew-chief for the No 84 Toyota of Allmendinger, believes his driver should feel confident, after a successful test at Virginia International Raceway showed him what his driver could do with a stock-car on a road course.

"I know AJ is nervous about this weekend, but I don't think  he has a reason to be," Viers said. "He has a natural talent for road courses, plus we had a good test at VIR last week.

"I look forward to going to a track where he is somewhat more comfortable and  familiar than most other tracks we will visit this season. His experience will work in his favor  this weekend."

Allmendinger has started eight out of 15 races thus far during the season and sits 45th in the Nextel Cup standings.