The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series shifts to the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California this week for the Auto Club 400. Jimmie Johnson won the race a year ago, claiming it for the third time. Following a slow start to this season, Johnson will look to get back on track at a place where he’s had plenty of success. He will have some tough competition though – especially with two-time Auto Club 400 winner Kyle Busch looking for redemption.
Event Details
Event: Auto Club 400
Category: Sprint Cup
Date: Sunday March 20, 2017
Location: Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, California
Last Race Recap
Busch was in line to win at the Phoenix Raceway last week when Joey Logano essentially cost him a victory by wrecking with a couple of laps to go. Busch had a three-second lead at the front of the field when Logano crashed in to the wall. Conspiracy theorists will argue that Logano intentionally wrecked in order to give his teammate Brad Keselowski a shot at winning. However, it was Ryan Newman that benefited as he took the lead off the restart and went on to win. Meanwhile, Busch wound up finishing third and he should be motivated to earn some redemption this week in California.
Past Five Winners
2016: Jimmie Johnson
2015: Brad Keselowski
2014: Kyle Busch
2013: Kyle Busch
2012: Tony Stewart
What To Know About The Track
Starting position will be crucial at the Auto Club Speedway this weekend. The tight turns and the lack of banking makes it that much more difficult to pass at this track. While it isn’t impossible to move up, the drivers at the front of the grid will be in a much more favorable position.
The Field
The field for this week’s event is absolutely loaded with Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson among the favorites. Busch and Johnson have had plenty of success at this event in the past and should be in line for strong outings. Meanwhile, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. and Kurt Busch are all worth keeping an eye on following strong starts to the 2017 season. Keselowski won this race in 2015 and he is off to a strong start with three top-10 finishes including a win this season.
Taking a look at the standings, Kyle Larson enters the week in first place with 184 points. That might surprise a lot of people but he’s had three top fives so far this season – even though he’s only led for 26 laps. Keselowski is in second place, just six points back. He has one win and three top fives on the year. Chase Elliott is in third place with 171 points with a pair of top fives and a pair of top 20’s.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Jimmie Johnson over Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. is off to a strong start including a win at Las Vegas. However, he hasn’t had much success in the past at Auto Club 400, so maybe he takes a temporary step back this season. Johnson on the other hand has struggled early on but should be in line for a strong performance. Johnson won this race a year ago and he has three wins at the Auto Club 400 since 2002. Johnson has also finished in the top-10 in 12 of his last 14 appearances here. The No. 48 car should be in line for a strong performance. Johnson should finish ahead of Truex at the Auto Club Speedway.
Top-Five Pick: Kyle Busch
Busch is another driver that has dominated at the Auto Club 400 in the past. He is the only driver to win this event in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014. He also has four top-five finishes in his last five appearances here. Busch is coming off a strong performance last week even though he was robbed of a victory. Look for him to bounce back this week as Busch contends for another outright win at Fontana.
Betting Odds To Win The Auto Club 400
Jimmie Johnson +600
Kevin Harvick +800
Kyle Busch +800
Joey Logano +800
Brad Keselowski +800
Martin Truex Jr +800
Kyle Larson +900
Chase Elliott +1000
Dale Earnhardt Jr +1200
Matt Kenseth +1200
Denny Hamlin +1500
Kurt Busch +2500
Kasey Kahne +2500
Clint Bowyer +3000
Ryan Blaney +3000
Erik Jones +4000
Daniel Suarez +4000
Ryan Newman +5000
Austin Dillon +6000
Jamie McMurray +6000
Field +2000
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