Fast Forward ~ The Auto Club 400 At Fontana Fantasy Race Picks And Preview
3/20/2014
Staff
Article
The Track: Auto
Club Speedway
Location: Fontana, California
Length: 2 Mile Oval
Banking: 14 degrees in turns 1-2; 14 degrees in turns 3-4; 3 degrees on the backstretch, 11 degrees on the front
Pit Road Length/Speed: 2200 ft/55 MPH
The Race: The Auto
Club 400
200 Laps/ 400 Miles
Defending Champion: Kyle Busch, 155.351 MPH
Most recent winner: Kyle Busch, 155.351 MPH
Track Record: Tony Stewart, March 2012, 160.166 MPH
Race Record: Tony Stewart, March 2012, 160.166 MPH
Qualifying record: Kyle Busch, Feb. 2005 188.425 MPH
TV:FOX, 3:00PM EST
Radio: Motor Racing Network (www.MRN.com), Sirius XM Channel 90
The History:
November, 1995-Groundbreaking at the California Speedway took place.
June 22, 1997-Jeff Gordon wins the first Sprint Cup Series Race.
2004-The track was granted a second annual race.
2008-The track name was changed to Auto Club Speedway.
2011-Auto Club Speedway returned to having only one Cup Series race.
March 27, 2011-Kevin Harvick wins the closest race at Auto Club Speedway, defeating Jimmie Johnson by 0.144 seconds.
Youngest Winner: Kyle Busch, 20 years, 4 months, 2 days.
Oldest Winner: Rusty Wallace, 44 years, 8 months, 15 days.
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Round Table Picks!
Before we get to the Auto Club picks, let’s back it up and see how we did at Bristol.
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Mr. Pole |
11 |
39 |
167 |
206 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
PattyKay Lilley |
2 |
31 |
169 |
200 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Vivian |
18 |
16 |
172 |
188 |
18 |
2 |
1 |
Mr. Seven |
24 |
37 |
149 |
186 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
5 |
37 |
145 |
182 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
Alabama Fitz |
18 |
16 |
163 |
179 |
27 |
0 |
0 |
Barbara |
18 |
16 |
160 |
176 |
30 |
1 |
1 |
Brian Marchetti |
18 |
16 |
156 |
172 |
34 |
0 |
0 |
Robyn Vandenberg |
78 |
8 |
137 |
145 |
61 |
0 |
0 |
Kevin Abraham |
22 |
25 |
119 |
144 |
62 |
0 |
1 |
Nate |
48 |
26 |
117 |
143 |
63 |
0 |
1 |
Darrell |
4 |
6 |
135 |
141 |
65 |
0 |
2 |
Here are our picks for the Auto Club 400 at California, at 3:00PM on FOX:
KEVIN ABRAHAM: This week we are heading to the Michigan clone. Last year at this track we had an exciting finish ruined by an injury to Denny Hamlin. I am going to pick a driver that was involved in that finish. I am doubling down on Joey Logano this week. With his win at Michigan and almost win here last year, he is the favorite in my eyes to win this weekend.
JIM FITZGERALD: I think that's a solid pick, Kev. I don't know what it is but Logano really looks good this year. Maybe they've got the package down, or maybe the "sliced bread" is coming around. I'm going to be watching him closely this season.
ALABAMA FITZ: I agree with Jim, Kev. I looked at him myself and he seems to do well here, plus he is running strong this year, plus he is now in a Ford for the 2nd year, so....you could have a winner.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Who are your picks?
JIM FITZGERALD: Patience, young Padawan.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Yes, Master.
ALABAMA FITZ: For me, it came down to five, and Joey was one of them. The other three were Kyle in the 18, Matt in the 20, Carl in the 99, and Jimmie in the 48.
JIM FITZGERALD: That’s four.
ALABAMA FITZ: Hush…the adults are talking! Carl's overall numbers are just a tad better here than Jimmie's, and Carl's last three finishes were: 6th, 5th, and 4th in that order. His numbers are the best in the categories I check, with the exception of his Avg Start/Finish. His is almost flat. Matt was best there: 19.6 / 10.1!! But his last three races look like the stock market grid! I'm going to go on a hunch that Jimmie and Chad aren't ready to make their move yet. Kyle has a pretty good record here with 11 Top 10s in 16 races and his last three were: 3rd, 2nd, and 1st, in that order. I'm riding with Kyle in the 18 again this week, looking in all the mirrors for that Logano kid! Actually, I feel that all five have a good shot at a Top 10 finish and I wouldn't be surprised to see the majority of them there at race end.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Well gentlemen, we're back on the left coast, to a track where exactly one... count 'em... ONE decent race has been run in the history of the track. Aside from that, folks out there go shopping, or so I'm told by Gillian Zucker. The fortunate part of all that is that the single good race was the last one, which leads one to hope... and pray for a repeat this year. It's hard to pick a winner here, as I really, truly do not like this track, and I'm not even sure why. I love Michigan, but Kev, this is not a clone and races absolutely nothing like Michigan. I only wish it did! Both picks made so far are admirable and I wouldn't argue with either, but then, I'm not taking them either. Common sense pick here is probably Johnson, but I'm not going there. Brad Keselowski is my current love on the track, but this one is far from being one of his best. So... still riding the Mo as best I can, I'm taking a guy that finished 2nd and 3rd here in his last two outings and is off to an unparalleled season this year... My pick for Fontana is Dale Earnhardt Jr. I don't think I've ever liked this guy as much as I do this year... and I like him a lot!
ALABAMA FITZ: Earnhardt did get a look and his last two races looked like ones he should have been driving here all along... but I wasn't sure if the last two were flukes or if he has finally turned the corner here. Yes, his 3rd and 2nd is impressive, and so was Carl's 6th, 5th, and 4th, but Kyle's 3rd, 2nd, and 1st rated him a nomination. Are you with me again this week, Brian?
BRIAN MARCHETTI: Well, I'm in "toss up" land today, trying to decide if I should keep my same ride this week, hoping Kyle can validate his Sour Flavored Skittle-finish from last week, or jump on the consistency band wagon of Chad "I'm A NASCAR God" Knaus and Jimmie "I'm Just Too Smooth To Ever Count Out" Johnson in the #48. Decisions, decisions…
JIM FITZGERALD: Well, while Brian plays fence rider, I'm going to go ahead and make my pick. Greg Biffle does not have the greatest record amongst his fellow drivers at the Fontana track. In nineteen starts, there are only four top 5 finishes, and seven in the top ten. There is a win, however, but that was way back in 2005. My logic here is that the Fords may have found something. Carl Edwards won at Bristol, backing up Brad Keselowski's Vegas win. Last year, Ford did not reach the winner's circle for the second time until Talladega, was unable to win two or more consecutive races, and in fact only won six races all year. Let's not forget about how well the Penske Fords have been looking lately, too, although the results may not show it. At the first rain delay at Bristol, Greg Biffle was out to lunch, running in the 30's. He and the team recovered to finish 12th. Not a great day, but a good one from a bad one. In the last seven races at Fontana, Biffle has scored five of those top ten runs. The other two? A twentieth place finish, and a 41st, when he had an engine sour. Biffle's last two finishes, both 6th place runs, Ford's apparent grasp of the Gen 6, Version 2 rules, and Biffle's ability to run so well on these types of tracks. I'm throwing all of that into a two-mile bowl, stirring it up and baking it for 400 miles. The end result? A nice heaping, steaming serving of Alabama Fitz's favorite, Biffleberry Pie. I'm taking Greg Biffle this weekend.
ALABAMA FITZ: I looked at maybe getting a piece of Biffleberry pie, but his inconsistency here and his Start/Finish ratio of 13.4/16.3 scared me off. Good luck.
JIM FITZGERALD: Hey, you know you can't start a ten race winning streak until you win one...maybe this is the first!
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Spoken by the same guy that is truly disappointed when an all-day sucker only lasts 6 hours! Greg Biffle on a 10-race win streak... Coleridge defined that as the willing suspension of disbelief...Brian? Robyn?
BRIAN MARCHETTI: I believe I'm going to ride with Chad and Jimmie this week. What I should do is just ride with Jimmie all season, and we will see how that works out. Next year, I say we take this year's winner, and track him against our picks, like Mr. Pole and Mr. Seven, and see how that pans out.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Sure, why not? Jim has to do all the bookkeeping, and I'm sure he doesn't mind.
JIM FITZGERALD: I can add Mr. Winner to this year’s contest as well…not a big deal. That would actually be a Mystery Player’s pick we’d have before Friday! Robyn…wake up!
ROBYN VANDENBERG: Ahh California ....oh wait ....Fontana, or…Auto Club…about as fun as watching Kyle Busch race in Nationwide. My pick for this weekend is none other than the team that is not allowed to screw up two weeks in a row...The Lowes #48 driven by Jimmie Johnson. Lord, don’t hate me for this pick!
JIM FITZGERALD: I took a long look at Jimmie, but Biffle screamed louder.
ROBYN VANDENBERG: But Chad cheats better.
JIM FITZGERALD: OUCH!
BRIAN MARCHETTI: Robyn and I are about to become great friends. I like that sense of humor!
JIM FITZGERALD: Really? You’re hitting on the new girl already? Come on, Man! Speaking of new, new to our group this year is a group of four of our favorite fans who have joined in to play along with us. What are you all thinking about the upcoming race at Auto Club Speedway, and who brings home the trophy?
Barbara: This new format has given a new height to the pressure to win. Those who have had problems are gritting their teeth, and those who have won are jumping for another win. I believe this week I shall just go ahead and say it will be JJ’s #48 in the Winner’s circle. Putting my points on Jimmie has ME gritting my teeth as there will probably be Matt, Jeff and Kurt for him to vie.
Darrell: I am going
with Happy Harvick this week. With the loss of points at Bristol, he will be on
a mission to make it up and he has historically been good at Fontana.
Nate: I'm going
with #20 for Fontana. Kenseth has the
numbers to prove it and ever since he's moved to the #20, his performance has
improved.
Vivian: The Auto
Club 400 race will see another winner throw his hat into the ring for the Chase
this year. Although there are several drivers
that excel on this type of track I am thinking it is time for Matt Kenseth to
come away with the win.
So, there are our picks for the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. It’s time to head back out west and show Hollywood who the real stars are. Until then, best wishes, and keep the shiny side up!
“We’re all just prisoners here of our own device…” -Eagles
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Brian Marchetti |
Alabama Fitz |
Darrell |
Nate |
Who is YOUR pick to win this week?