Said to drive independent car of Carter at Sonoma

Absent from the Sprint Cup Series since missing the season-opening Daytona 500, Boris Said is expected to make his return at Infineon Raceway later this month. Said, best known for his road-racing skills, will drive Georgia businessman John Carter's No. 08 Ford in the Toyota/SaveMart 350 on June 21.

Said

Said originally planned to enter as many as 18 races this season, but a deal with Rick Clark Motorsports announced in February never came to fruition. Carter claims the team has been working on providing Said with a competitive car for the track that winds through the Sonoma hillside.

"We have missed several races while preparing for this race," Carter said. "Boris Said is one of the all-time greats on the road courses and I feel comfortable that Boris is the man for the job."

Said has four top-10 finishes at Infineon, including back-to-back ninth-place efforts in 2006 and '07. Shock problems left him 41st last season.

In addition to his Sprint Cup duties, Said will attempt to qualify a Camping World West Series car carrying a special silver and black Kenny Stabler paint scheme. The former Oakland Raiders quarterback will be grand marshal that weekend.

• Tickets: Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway