Auto Club 500 Thread

[Guest JT179]

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is on to its second race of the season in California. Below is the Entry List, Starting Line-Up, and practice speeds so far for the race.

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Auto Club 500 Entry List

California Speedway

00 Hermie Sadler Aaron's Ford

1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet

2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge

4 Scott Wimmer AERO Exhaust Chevrolet

5 Kyle Busch Kellogg's Chevrolet

6 Mark Martin AAA Ford

7 Robby Gordon Jim Beam Chevrolet

07 Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's Chevrolet

8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet

9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

10 Scott Riggs Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge

11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Kinko’s Chevrolet

12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1/ALLTEL Dodge

14 Sterling Marlin CENTRIX Auto Finance Chevrolet

16 Greg Biffle Jackson Hewitt Ford

17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Power Tools Ford

18 J.J. Yeley Interstate Batteries Chevrolet

19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevrolet

21 Ken Schrader Little Debbie Ford

22 Dave Blaney Caterpillar Dodge

24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet

25 Brian Vickers GMAC Chevrolet

26 Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Ford

29 Kevin Harvick Icebreakers Ice Cubes Chevrolet

31 Jeff Burton Cingular Wireless Chevrolet

32 Travis Kvapil Tide Chevrolet

37 Mike Skinner R&J Racing Dodge

38 Elliott Sadler Pedigree Ford

40 David Stremme Coors Light Dodge

41 Reed Sorenson Energizer e2 Lithium Dodge

42 Casey Mears Texaco/Havoline Dodge

43 Bobby Labonte Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge

45 Kyle Petty Wells Fargo Financial Dodge

48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s Chevrolet

49 Brent Sherman Serta Dodge

51 Mike Garvey Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Chevrolet

55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Dodge

59 Andy Belmont YearOne.com Chevrolet

61 Kevin Lepage Roadloans.com Ford

64 Randy LaJoie Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet

66 Jeff Green Best Buy Chevrolet

74 Derrike Cope MyGuardian911 Dodge

78 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet

88 Dale Jarrett UPS Ford

89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus/Dutch Quality Stone Dodge

92 Chad Chaffin Oak Glove Co. Chevrolet

95 Stanton Barrett hairofdog.com Chevrolet

96 Terry Labonte DLP HDTV Chevrolet

99 Carl Edwards Office Depot Ford

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Auto Club 500 1st Practice Results

California Speedway

1. 01 Joe Nemechek U.S. Army Chevrolet

2. 31 Jeff Burton Cingular Wireless Chevrolet

3. 10 Scott Riggs Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge

4. 6 Mark Martin AAA Ford

5. 20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevrolet

6. 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge

7. 19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

8. 12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1/ALLTEL Dodge

9. 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

10. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet

11. 42 Casey Mears Texaco/Havoline Dodge

12. 66 Jeff Green Best Buy Chevrolet

13. 25 Brian Vickers GMAC Chevrolet

14. 5 Kyle Busch Kellogg's Chevrolet

15. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Kinko's Chevrolet

16. 1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet

17. 38 Elliott Sadler Pedigree Ford

18. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet

19. 29 Kevin Harvick Icebreakers Ice Cubes Chevrolet

20. 16 Greg Biffle Jackson Hewitt Ford

21. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet

22. 99 Carl Edwards Office Depot Ford

23. 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Power Tools Ford

24. 4 Scott Wimmer AERO Exhaust Chevrolet

25. 07 Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's Chevrolet

26. 14 Sterling Marlin CENTRIX Auto Finance Chevrolet

27. 18 J.J. Yeley Interstate Batteries Chevrolet

28. 41 Reed Sorenson Energizer e2 Lithium Dodge

29. 88 Dale Jarrett UPS Ford

30. 61 Kevin Lepage Roadloans.com Ford

31. 55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Dodge

32. 22 Dave Blaney Caterpillar Dodge

33. 7 Robby Gordon Jim Beam Chevrolet

34. 32 Travis Kvapil Tide Chevrolet

35. 45 Kyle Petty Wells Fargo Financial Dodge

36. 40 David Stremme Coors Light Dodge

37. 78 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet

38. 26 Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Ford

39. 21 Ken Schrader Little Debbie Ford

40. 51 Mike Garvey Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Chevrolet

41. 00 Hermie Sadler Aaron's Ford

42. 43 Bobby Labonte Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge

43. 49 Brent Sherman Serta Dodge

44. 96 Terry Labonte DLP HDTV Chevrolet

45. 95 Stanton Barrett hairofdog.com Chevrolet

46. 89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus/Dutch Quality Stone Dodge

47. 64 Randy LaJoie Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet

48. 74 Derrike Cope MyGuardian911 Dodge

49. 37 Mike Skinner R&J Racing Dodge (No Speed, Withdrew)

50. 92 Chad Chaffin Oak Glove Co. Chevrolet (No Speed, Withdrew)

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Auto Club 500 Starting Line-Up

California Speedway

1. 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge

2. 16 Greg Biffle Jackson Hewitt Ford

3. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet

4. 18 J.J. Yeley Interstate Batteries Chevrolet

5. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Kinko's Chevrolet

6. 31 Jeff Burton Cingular Wireless Chevrolet

7. 5 Kyle Busch Kellogg's Chevrolet

8. 01 Joe Nemechek U.S. Army Chevrolet

9. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet

10. 6 Mark Martin AAA Ford

11. 12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1/ALLTEL Dodge

12. 20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevrolet

13. 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

14. 10 Scott Riggs Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge

15. 29 Kevin Harvick Icebreakers Ice Cubes Chevrolet

16. 38 Elliott Sadler Pedigree Ford

17. 14 Sterling Marlin CENTRIX Auto Finance Chevrolet

18. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet

19. 88 Dale Jarrett UPS Ford

20. 42 Casey Mears Texaco/Havoline Dodge

21. 19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

22. 99 Carl Edwards Office Depot Ford

23. 1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet

24. 22 Dave Blaney Caterpillar Dodge

25. 26 Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Ford

26. 66 Jeff Green Best Buy Chevrolet

27. 43 Bobby Labonte Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge

28. 25 Brian Vickers GMAC Chevrolet

29. 41 Reed Sorenson Energizer e2 Lithium Dodge

30. 95 Stanton Barrett hairofdog.com Chevrolet

31. 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Power Tools Ford

32. 07 Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's Chevrolet

33. 55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Dodge

34. 7 Robby Gordon Jim Beam Chevrolet

35. 51 Mike Garvey Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Chevrolet

36. 78 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet

37. 61 Kevin Lepage Roadloans.com Ford

38. 4 Scott Wimmer AERO Exhaust Chevrolet

39. 45 Kyle Petty Wells Fargo Financial Dodge

40. 40 David Stremme Coors Light Dodge

41. 21 Ken Schrader Little Debbie Ford

42. 49 Brent Sherman Serta Dodge

43. 96 Terry Labonte DLP HDTV Chevrolet

Missing The Race Were:

00 Hermie Sadler Aaron's Ford

32 Travis Kvapil Tide Chevrolet

37 Mike Skinner R&J Racing Dodge (Withdrew)

64 Randy LaJoie Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet

74 Derrike Cope MyGuardian911 Dodge

89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus/Dutch Quality Stone Dodge

92 Chad Chaffin Oak Glove Co. Chevrolet (Withdrew)

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Strong showing by Busch, I suspect he will be strong in the race. I don't think he will win though. Here are my top 10 picks to win the race in order of confidence:

1. Jimmie Johnson - Daytona 500 winner follows up with a strong qualifying run. Should have a STRONG car during the race and will be tough to beat.

2. Greg Biffle - Biffle won this race last year, and the Roush team cars have all had strong cars at this track in the past.

3. Kyle Busch - Won the fall race at this track last year, should have a strong run as long as he doesn't make any mistakes.

4. Matt Kenseth - Poor qualifying run aside, Kenseth was strong here last year but had bad luck. Should bounce back from Daytona with a strong run Sunday. Could win the race if he gets lucky.

5. Mark Martin - Mark's always been good at these tracks, he won at Kansas Speedway last year which is very similar to California so he should have a strong run.

6. Jeff Gordon - After suffering bad luck at Daytona Jeff should be happy to see California Speedway where he has had so much success. Along with Johnson & Kyle Busch he should be a contender all day Sunday.

7. Kurt Busch - Won the pole for this race by beating out his closest follower by nearly a full mile-per-hour. If he can back up his qualifying speed he will be awful tough to beat Sunday.

8. Tony Stewart - Reigning Cup Champ is a contender to win every week, and this Sunday will be no exception.

9. Joe Nemechek - Dominated this race in the spring early leading a ton of laps. If it hadn't been for a bad engine he probably would have won this race. Look for him to be a contender in this one.

10. Casey Mears - After a strong run at Daytona Mears could be on the fast track to success. Could contend for the win if things fall into place right.

Other possible choices:

Ryan Newman - Needs to get race setup down if he wants to win Sunday.

Kasey Kahne - Always has good cars at these tracks, but needs to finish the job.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Won at ChicagoLand last year with strategy, needs more than that to win Sunday.

Kevin Harvick - Could win, might need some help to do it though.

Elliott Sadler - See Kevin Harvick.

Carl Edwards - Roush Cars should be strong at California, Carl probably won't be an exception.

Jamie McMurray - See Carl Edwards.

I'll post practice results from Saturday when they are released by NASCAR.

[Guest JT179]

It seems not that many people are interested, but i'll continue to post in this none the less.

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Auto Club 500 Final Practice Results

California Speedway

1. 17 Matt Kenseth DeWalt Power Tools Ford

2. 25 Brian Vickers GMAC Chevrolet

3. 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge

4. 16 Greg Biffle Jackson Hewitt Ford

5. 6 Mark Martin AAA Ford

6. 40 David Stremme Coors Light Dodge

7. 31 Jeff Burton Cingular Wireless Chevrolet

8. 29 Kevin Harvick Icebreakers Ice Cubes Chevrolet

9. 41 Reed Sorenson Energizer e2 Lithium Dodge

10. 07 Clint Bowyer Jack Daniel's Chevrolet

11. 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

12. 10 Scott Riggs Valvoline/Stanley Tools Dodge

13. 66 Jeff Green Best Buy Chevrolet

14. 19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge

15. 99 Carl Edwards Office Depot Ford

16. 1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet

17. 26 Jamie McMurray Crown Royal Ford

18. 20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevrolet

19. 01 Joe Nemechek U.S. Army Chevrolet

20. 21 Ken Schrader Little Debbie Ford

21. 88 Dale Jarrett UPS Ford

22. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet

23. 38 Elliott Sadler Pedigree Ford

24. 42 Casey Mears Texaco/Havoline Dodge

25. 45 Kyle Petty Wells Fargo Financial Dodge

26. 55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Dodge

27. 5 Kyle Busch Kellogg's Chevrolet

28. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Hot Hues Chevrolet

29. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Chevrolet

30. 18 J.J. Yeley Interstate Batteries Chevrolet

31. 61 Kevin Lepage Roadloans.com Ford

32. 12 Ryan Newman Mobil 1 Dodge

33. 7 Robby Gordon Jim Beam Chevrolet

34. 14 Sterling Marlin CENTRIX Auto Finance Chevrolet

35. 43 Bobby Labonte Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge

36. 4 Scott Wimmer AERO Exhaust Chevrolet

37. 22 Dave Blaney Caterpillar Dodge

38. 78 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet

39. 96 Terry Labonte DLP HDTV/Tweeter Chevrolet

40. 51 Mike Garvey Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Chevrolet

41. 49 Brent Sherman Serta Dodge

42. 95 Stanton Barrett hairofdog.com Chevrolet

43. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Kinko's Chevrolet (No Speed, Skipped Practice)

Kenseth put up a fast time during practice, just like him. Poor in qualifying and he is fast in race trim.

[Lowerdeck]

Perhaps one NASCAR topic instead of one per each race

[Jerichoholic23]

I am not trying to be rude. I never really understood the whole fascination with Nascar. How is it that it became so popular? IMO after golf and tennis its the most boring sport in the world.

[Lowerdeck]

All in taste my man. All in taste. It's just another form of competition.

[ACCBiggz]

A lot comes in form of the crash for some. Hence why restrictor plate races are some of the most popular. In the past I haven't been too in to Nascar, but recently it has become more exciting with the higher production values that FOX and NBC put in. But for the normal casual fans, I would say a lot has to do with the excitement factor of never knowing when a crash will happen.

[Lowerdeck]

Meh, you'd be surprised how many people are just in this to see the competition and not for the crashing. It's pretty intense stuff if you think about it. Having a decent knowledge of cars can't hurt, but isn't required (I don't.)

[ACCBiggz]

Meh, you'd be surprised how many people are just in this to see the competition and not for the crashing. It's pretty intense stuff if you think about it. Having a decent knowledge of cars can't hurt, but isn't required (I don't.)