Auto Club 400 Preview

Jimmie Johnson leads the pack at Auto Club Speedway in 2013.  [Tom Pennington/NASCAR via Getty Images]

By Dan Margetta and John Wiedemann

It’s another trek out West to the shadows of Hollywood for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California hosts the Auto Club 400 Sunday afternoon. The California circuit is a fast two-mile oval similar to the track in Michigan and teams that raced strong under the 2014 rules two weeks ago at Las Vegas, should be equally as strong in California.

So far this season the first four races have produced four different faces in victory lane and the following are some
drivers to watch this Sunday at California.

Joey Logano

Dan Margetta:  The Penske cars were slightly better than the rest of the teams two weeks ago in Vegas and they should also be strong this week in California. This time it could be Joey Logano’s turn to taste the glory as he was the winner at Michigan last August, the last time the series visited a track similar to California. In last year’s California race, Logano looked to be on his way to victory, until he let a personal battle with Denny Hamlin get in the way on the final lap.  It’s a year later and Logano’s matured significantly. He could be the fifth different face in victory lane on Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson

John Wiedemann:  Jimmie Johnson is statistically the best driver at California Speedway.  If the 48 team can’t get it done this weekend, then there is something seriously wrong.  Coming to a track where they are so good will show where the team is at this year with the rules package.  But, wait, maybe they are just testing all year.  They will grab their one win somewhere in the schedule, get in the Chase, and then dominate the final ten races on their way to the championship.  Really, that’s all it takes.  If there is a formula, you can bet that Chad Knaus and the 48 team have it figured out.

Denny Hamlin

DM:  Denny Hamlin returns to California with redemption on his mind after last year’s final lap crash with Joey Logano left him with serious back injuries that kept him out of the car for many weeks. The Joe Gibbs cars had the Penske team in sight in Las Vegas and with the data acquired from there, a small improvement should put them in the hunt this week at California. Hamlin should be determined to conquer the track that put him out of commission last year which makes him a driver to watch on Sunday.

Kyle Busch

John Wiedemann:  At some point soon, Kyle Busch will hit victory lane for the first time this season and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him there at the end of the California race.  Kyle has two wins, an average finish of 10th and is second best statistically to only Jimmie Johnson.  Kyle’s biggest challenge will probably come from his teammates.  Likely all three Joe Gibbs Racing drivers will be in the top ten if not top five.

Kevin Harvick

DM:  Kevin Harvick has been fast in every race this season without the results to show for it. With a win at Phoenix his only triumph to date, Harvick has fallen out of the last two races while racing for the lead. He has one California victory to his credit and should continue to be strong this weekend. If the team can take care of the mechanical gremlins that have popped up in recent weeks, Harvick is a strong candidate to become the first repeat winner of the season.

Matt Kenseth

JW:  Matt Kenseth has three wins at California (2006, 2007 and 2009) and as I stated earlier should be at the front along with teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin this weekend.  It’s a bit strange that Kenseth hasn’t captured a top five finish in the first four races this season, but that feat should be accomplished this weekend.

Greg Biffle

DM:  Greg Biffle was the forgotten Roush-Fenway Racing driver last week at Bristol as his teammates finished first and second while he was mired in 12th. California presents a strong opportunity for Biffle to make a statement as he owns one victory here and he traditionally runs well at California’s sister track in Michigan. So far 2014 has been disappointing for Biffle and the team brings a brand new chassis to California in an attempt to turn around his frustrations. If the team struggles off the truck in Friday’s practice it could be a long weekend, but if they’re in the ballpark, the timing could be right for Biffle to break through to victory lane.

Brad Keselowski

JW:  So far this season Brad Keselowski is almost a lock to be on the front row after qualifying. During the races he has run well enough to take the top position in the points as well as being one of the four winners so far this season, virtually locking himself in the Chase and giving him the freedom to “just race”.   Only two drivers have ever won from the front row at Auto Club Speedway, but if Keselowski is on the front row again this weekend, he could add to that stat.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

DM:  Alright, last week’s second place Bristol finish earns Ricky Stenhouse Jr. my long shot pick of the week. California is fast and wide and Stenhouse is not shy about stepping on the gas pedal. Stenhouse has seemed to click with his familiar crew chief Mike Kelley and the momentum from Bristol should carry over to California. If they can avoid having to play the fuel mileage game this week, Stenhouse and the #17 team are worth a look this week at California.

Kyle Larson

JW:  Kyle Larson showed what can do, challenging for the win at Bristol and this weekend just might be more of the same.  Larson only raced at Auto Club Speedway one time in his short Nationwide career and finished sixth.  Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch won at California in their rookie seasons.  So is Kyle Larson on their level?  We just may find out on Sunday.

Dan Margetta

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