Honda's Miguel DuHamel has won nine times at Infineon Raceway over the years. What's the deal?

"It's a really cool track," said Miguel from under the Honda tent earlier today. "It's a hard, technical track and you have to put everything together. If you are having trouble with whatever motorcycle or tire you are on, you can make up for it a little bit. That being said, we're Superbike racing here and the step to Mat (Mladin) and Ben (Spies) is high. Maybe with some stretching exercises, I'll be able to make that step."

The electronics have been a hurdle for the venerable DuHamel this season. "Our bike is good, our team is working well but I think that traction control thing is going to make me older, quicker. Once we get it all together, I think we are going to go pretty good," he said

DuHamel said he loved the old Esses and aspects of the track before the redesign but likes the improved safety of today's Sears Point, er, Infineon Raceway.

Miguel seemed genuinely touched when asked about the safety improvements at Infineon. "Personally and professionally, I am very happy and moved that people care about our sport and go out of their way (to make it safer). It's no small task here, moving dirt in California," said the 1995 series champion. "They were able to do it. Some other places might have said, 'we have too many restrictions' or whatever. The people here care about motorcycle racing. It's a wonderful thing and I'm happy and proud to be here."

Soup asked Miguel to recall two of our favorite DuHamel victories at Infineon Raceway.

In 1993, DuHamel beat Doug Polen in Sonoma in an exciting battle that came down to the wire. "I remember that race like it was yesterday. Larry Kano was my chief mechanic. We came up with a good setup of the bike," said Miguel. "The bike was fantastic that day."

Polen whipped everyone just about every time out in '93, but Miguel managed to hold him off by inches. "That was the heyday of Doug. He was a World Champion. He was super fast and the Ducati had quite an advantage in weight, as well. He was all over me but he couldn't get by me. It was a great race. The bike was solid and I was really proud. That's one of those victories you feel like you stole from somebody."

It was also the last Superbike win for Kawasaki at Infineon Raceway.

In the 2004 race, DuHamel closed a huge gap on teammate Jake Zemke on the last lap to win. Miggy was more than two seconds behind as the last lap began. "A lot of people will put it in the books that the race is over with a two second lead on the last lap, especially here where it is hard to pass," said Miguel.

Zemke looked primed to win his first Superbike race that day, but got zapped by a master. "The bike was running well and I had some more left," said Miguel. "On the last lap, I just threw all I had at him. I caught him at the perfect time where he couldn't hear me coming up. I felt bad because Jake is a great guy and he went on to win races that year. "