NASCAR 2018 Race 5: Fontana Auto Club 500 Schedule, Starting Order and Picks

[dara]

Schedule: Times in Eastern

Friday, March 16
2:35-3:25 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice, FS1
3:35-4:25 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series first practice, FS1
5:35-6:25 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice, FS1
7:15 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, FS1

Saturday, March 17
12:35-1:25p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series second practice, FS1
1:35 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying, FS1
3:30-4:20p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, FS1
5 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Auto Club (150 laps, 300 miles), FS1

Sunday, March 18
3:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 (200 laps, 4oo miles), FOX

Stage 1 60 laps
Stage 2 120 laps

Facts:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Auto_Club_Speedway_%28formerly_California_Speedway %29_-_Speedway.svg/200px-Auto_Club_Speedway_%28formerly_California_Speedway %29_-_Speedway.svg.png

Track Specs:
Track/Race Length: 2.0 mile D-shaped oval, 200 laps, 400 miles
Superspeedway: 2.0-mile oval 75 feet wide with a 15 foot apron
Banking: turns: 14°; front stretch 11°; backstretch 3°
Front Stretch: 3,100feet
Back Stretch: 2,500feet
Pit Road: 2,200 feet long with 44 individual pit stalls
Garages: Three garages with 100 spaces
Pit Road Speed: 55mph
Pace Car Speed: 60mph
Approx: 1,800 Infield RV spaces
Grandstand seating capacity: 68,000 [was 81,000 and 92,000]
Opened: 1997

Pit Stalls:
Length: 42 feet
Width: 20 feet


Track Records & Stats

March 2017 Race Winner: #42-Kyle Larson, 136.359mph, started 1st
The Final October 2010 Race Winner: #14-Tony Stewart, 131.953, started 22nd
Track Race Record: #14-Tony Stewart, 3/25/2012, 160.166mph
Slowest Race Record: #38-Elliott Sadler, Sept 2004, 128.324mph
Oldest Winner: #2-Rusty Wallace, 44 years, 8 months, 15 days, 4/29/2001
Youngest Winner: #5-Kyle Busch, 20 years, 4 months, 2 days, 9/4/2005
Worst Starting Spot to Win: #17-Matt Kenseth, 2/26/2006, started 31st

March 2017 Pole Winner: #42-Kyle Larson, 187.047, finished 1st
The Final October 2010 Pole Winner: #1-Jamie McMurray, 185.285, finished 17th
Track Qualifying Record: Denny Hamlin, March 2016, 188.511mph
Oldest Pole Winner: Mike Skinner, 42 years, 10 months, 2 days, 4/30/2000
Youngest Pole Winner: Kyle Busch, 19 years, 9 months, 25 days, 2/27/2005

Most Races: 26 - Jeff Gordon
Most Wins: 6 - Jimmie Johnson
Most Poles: 4 - Kurt Busch; 3 - Denny Hamlin
Most Top 5s: 13 - Jimmie Johnson
Most Top 10s: 16 - Jimmie Johnson; 15 - Carl Edwards & Matt Kenseth

Weather: Projected Partly Cloudy on Sunday. Rain on Saturday.

[dara]

Starting Order:

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Kyle Busch
3. Kyle Larson
4. Erik Jones
5. Austin Dillon
6. Joey Logano
7. Kurt Busch
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Ryan Newman
10. Kevin Harvick
11. Brad Keselowski
12. Chris Buescher
13. Trevor Bayne
14. Paul Menard
15. Jamie McMurray
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
17. Ty Dillon
18. Matt DiBenedetto
19. Darrell Wallace Jr.
20. Gray Gaulding
21. David Ragan
22. Michael McDowell
23. Jeffrey Earnhardt
24. Reed Sorenson
25. Denny Hamlin
26. Clint Bowyer
27. Aric Almirola
28. Alex Bowman
29. William Byron
30. Daniel Suarez
31. Chase Elliott
32. AJ Allmendinger
33. Jimmie Johnson
34. Kasey Kahne
35. Timmy Hill
36. Ross Chastain
37. Cole Whitt


Martin Truex Jr. has this qualifying thing down. The driver of the No. 78 car won his second straight pole Friday posting a time of 38.59 seconds to earn the front spot at the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Sunday.

"First time ever," Truex told FS1 after qualifying. "It's definitely really cool, just proud of everybody."

Kyle Busch qualified second as he will pursue his fourth victory in Fontana while Kyle Larson was third.

Kevin Harvick, who will go for his fourth straight win to start the year managed to break the course record in the first round with a time of 38.147 seconds, but will start 10th after he struggled on his final qualifying lap.

Chase Elliott was not so lucky. As good as he was last week finishing third in Phoenix, the 22-year-old failed to pass tech and was unable to put out a time on the track. He is one of the favorites to win the race, but if he does so it will have to be a come-from-behind effort.

Failing inspection was a theme of the day, though, as 13 drivers failed to record a time. Jimmie Johnson, who is the all-time win leader in Fontana, did not record a time. In fact, all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers failed to pass inspection.

[4me2c]

Larson Won Last Year...!

1)...Kyle Busch
2)...Kevin Harvick
3)...Jimmie Johnson

Good Luck To All Who Enter...!

[Orziz]

Kyle Larson*
Kevin Harvick
Kyle Busch

[Ryu]

***Kevin Harvick***
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr.

[Marley]

Kevin Harvick *****
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex, Jr.
but will change maybe

[4me2c]

For those wanting to watch the trials today on FS1[150], if it isn't coming thru, One can Always try FOX HD[134] as FS1 has been taking over recently every so often...! Lol...! ;)

[carlosman]

*Martin Truex Jr
Kevin Harvick
Brad Keselowski

[Capt.Kangaroo]

Brad Keselowski***
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch

[4me2c]

Gamblers Palace is giving Johnson the Win with 6-1 Odds...!

[ranagee]

Kevin Harvick (favorite)
Kyle Busch
Denny Hamlin

[dara]

Joey Logano
Kyle Busch**
Kevin Harvick

[82harley]

Kyle Busch***
Kevin Harvick
Martin Truex Jr.

[4me2c]

Logano Nailed it Today...!

Where will He Finish Tomorrow...?!?

[bigstar]

Kevin Harvick
Kyle Busch *
Martin Truex Jr.

[crazed 9.6]

Kyle Larson *
Joey Lagano
Kurt Busch

[dishuser]

1. Martin Truex Jr. ***
2. Kyle Busch
7. Kurt Busch

[erickson]

Kyle Busch ///// Kyle Larson* ///// Kevin Harvick

[minitor]

Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr.*
Kyle Larson

[superbox]

Kyle Busch
Kevin Harvick*
Joey Logano

[TimeKeeper]

Martin Truex *
Daniel Suarez
Brad Keselowski

[dara]

Everyone has sent their picks in. If you have changes before green flag, please let me know.





1)...Kyle Busch
2)...Kevin Harvick
3)...Jimmie Johnson




Kyle Larson*
Kevin Harvick
Kyle Busch


***Kevin Harvick***
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr.


Kevin Harvick *****
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex, Jr.



*Martin Truex Jr
Kevin Harvick
Brad Keselowski


Brad Keselowski***
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch


Kevin Harvick (favorite)
Kyle Busch
Denny Hamlin


Joey Logano
Kyle Busch**
Kevin Harvick


Kyle Busch***
Kevin Harvick
Martin Truex Jr.


Kevin Harvick
Kyle Busch *
Martin Truex Jr.


Kyle Larson
Keven Harvick ***
Kurt Busch


1. Martin Truex Jr. ***
2. Kyle Busch
7. Kurt Busch


Kyle Busch ///// Kyle Larson* ///// Kevin Harvick


Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr.*
Kyle Larson


Kyle Busch
Kevin Harvick*
Joey Logano


Martin Truex *
Daniel Suarez
Brad Keselowski

[dara]

Favorites:

Kyle Busch: 4me2c, dara, 82harley, bigstar
Kyle Larson: Orziz, , erickson
Martin Truex, Jr.: carlosman, dishuser, minator, TimeKeeper
Kevin Harvick: kingoffighter, Marley, ranagee, superbox,crazed 2.0
Brad Keselowski: Captainkangaroo

[crazed 9.6]

can I change my pics .. They have not started yet.
I do not know what I was thinking but :eek: I gotta go with Harvick and a 4 in a row win today :)

OLD
Kyle Larson *
Joey Lagano
Kurt Busch

NEW
Kyle Larson
Keven Harvick ***
Kurt Busch

[dara]

Ok, will update when back at the PC.

[crazed 9.6]

lol... ooops.... Harvick wrecked :(

Can I change back ?

lol :eek:

[4me2c]

OUCH...!, Gonna take More than a Band-Aid...!

Ooooo...! Just Saw Puppies with Belly Buttons(One Each)...!

[dara]

Martin Truex, Jr wins Stage 1

carlosman, dishuser, minator, TimeKeeper get 25 bonus points for the stage.

[4me2c]

looks like #18 is Playing it Safe...!

[dara]

Martin Truex, Jr wins Stage 2

carlosman, dishuser, minator, TimeKeeper get 25 bonus points for the stage.

--

Man... wish I didn't change my initial pick! LOL.

[4me2c]

Did You Notice that Last Pit Stop and Who got into their spots last and Who Got Out Quickest...?!? #18 Crew is Quick, 4 tires/Gas and the 2nd One Out and next to last in...!

[4me2c]

and in the Next Pit Stop the Crew Chief said They did an Adjustment the Wrong Way...?!?

[crazed 9.6]

yea, that was mistake for sure :eek:

He sure shot out of that pit box last stop thou, wow

[dara]

Martin Truex, Jr wins the race and sweeps the stages. Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch follow

carlosman, dishuser, minator, TimeKeeper get 100 total bonus points for the stages and race

[dishuser]

congrats minitor :cool:
perfect picks

[dara]

congrats minitor :cool:
perfect picks

Was about to post that too. Congrats to minitor.

[4me2c]

Congratz to the Winners as Jimmie Johnson makes it in @ the #9 Spot...!

[dara]

Next race is Texas, but on April 7.


d'oh... next week is Martinsville! The week after is the Easter break.

[crazed 9.6]

wow yea minitor !!!

[dara]

Race results:



https://www.nascar.com/results/race_center/2018/monster-energy-nascar-cup-series/auto-club-400/stn/race/

[crazed 9.6]

-4me2c
1)...Kyle Busch* 51
2)...Kevin Harvick 2
3)...Jimmie Johnson 38
total= 91

-Orziz
Kyle Larson* 43
Kevin Harvick 2
Kyle Busch 51
total= 96

-kingoffighter
Kevin Harvick* 2
Kyle Busch 51
Martin Truex Jr. 60
total= 113

-Marley
Kevin Harvick* 2
Kyle Busch 51
Martin Truex, Jr. 60
total= 113

-carlosman
Martin Truex Jr* 25+25+50+60 =160
Kevin Harvick 2
Brad Keselowski 49
total= 211

-Captainkangaroo
Brad Keselowski* 49
Martin Truex Jr 60
Kyle Busch 51
total= 160

-ranagee
Kevin Harvick* 2
Kyle Busch 51
Denny Hamlin 39
total= 92

dara
Joey Logano 45
Kyle Busch* 51
Kevin Harvick 2
total= 98

-82harley
Kyle Busch* 51
Kevin Harvick 2
Martin Truex Jr. 60
total= 113

-bigstar
Kevin Harvick 2
Kyle Busch* 51
Martin Truex Jr. 60
total= 113

-crazed 2.0
Kyle Larson 43
Keven Harvick* 2
Kurt Busch 27
total= 72

-dishuser
1. Martin Truex Jr.* 25+25+50+60 = 160
2. Kyle Busch 51
7. Kurt Busch 27
total= 238

-erickson
Kyle Busch 51
Kyle Larson* 43
Kevin Harvick 2
total= 96

-minitor
Kyle Busch 51
Martin Truex Jr.* 25+25+50+60 = 160
Kyle Larson 43
total= 254

-superbox
Kyle Busch 51
Kevin Harvick* 2
Joey Logano 45
total= 98

-TimeKeeper
Martin Truex* 25+25+50+60 =160
Daniel Suarez 14
Brad Keselowski 49
total= 223

[crazed 9.6]

Posted above for double checking :)

Some big points this race.
Minitor comes in with a perfect score :eek:
With dishuser, Timekeeper, carlosman coming in with above the 200 point mark :eek:
nice pics guys :)

[Capt.Kangaroo]

Good job minitor...:eek:
thanks guys

[dara]

Posted above for double checking :)

Some big points this race.
Minitor comes in with a perfect score :eek:
With dishuser, Timekeeper, carlosman coming in with above the 200 point mark :eek:
nice pics guys :)

Scores are good, will be posting standings in the rules thread.

[Orziz]

Great picks Minitor- I think I came real close to a perfect score in the old pool one year. Doesn't happen often..

[Marley]

so true on that on great picks

[4me2c]

Next race is Texas, but on April 7.


d'oh... next week is Martinsville! The week after is the Easter break.

No Picking for this one : Toyota Owners 400, Saturday, Apr 21, 6:30 PM... ?!?

[dara]

No Picking for this one : Toyota Owners 400, Saturday, Apr 21, 6:30 PM... ?!?

That's a regular race. If its on Saturday, we normally warn about it. The only non-points race is the All-Star race.

[4me2c]

Still Gotta Watch it to see if Momentum Changes...! Lol, which is No Problema for Me...!