NNS Etc: Auto Club Speedway Edition
* In The Garage: Auto Club
In addition to Stanton Barrett, Jerry Baxter, Kevin Harvick, Jason Leffler and Brett Sumpter, other California natives in the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage this weekend include:
Robbie Allison (Oakland), No. 38 mechanic
Mikey Drake (Spring Valley), No. 32 front tire carrier
David Gilliland (Riverside), No. 1 driver
Daniel Mondragon (Monterey), No. 32 front tire changer
Scott Myers (Modesto), No. 11 shock specialist
Brad Rothlin (Fortune), No. 18 gas man
* Bowyer Reaches For 300 Plateau
Two weeks ago, reigning series champion Clint Bowyer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet), collected his 100th top-10 series finish.
This weekend, he reaches another career milestone as his 300th NASCAR national series start comes compliments of the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
“The two biggest things that stick out in my mind are winning the Nationwide Series championship last season and my first Sprint Cup Series win at New Hampshire in 2007,” he said.
“Taking the title last year was awesome and it was a lot of fun. It’s amazing to think that just a few years ago I was dirt racing, back in Kansas, to be where I’m at today. Richard Childress believed in me and I owe most of my success to him and everyone back at RCR.”
* Braun Racing: Proud In Pink
The three-car Braun Racing organization will ‘go pink’ for the Oct. 16 Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in support of Dollar General-sponsored, IndyCar Series driver Sarah Fisher and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Brian Vickers, the 2003 series champion, and Reed Sorenson will trade in their traditional black-and-yellow No. 32 and No. 10 Dollar General Toyotas for a special pink paint scheme in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Charlotte.
Their teammate Jason Leffler and his primary sponsor, Great Clips, will also support the cause with a specially-designed pink No. 38 Camry next weekend. Leffler normally carries a black-and-red scheme.
* NNS Raybestos Rookie Standings
Driver Team Points
1. Justin Allgaier Penske 223
2. Brendan Gaughan RWR 201
3. Michael McDowell K-A 188
4. Michael Annett Germain 173
5. Scott Lagasse Jr. N/A 154
6. Erik Darnell RFR 143
7. John Wes Townley RAB 120
‘JWT’ has put together the best consecutive finishes of his brief NNS career. He was 18th at Dover International Speedway and tied his best finish with a 16th-place result last week at Kansas. He was 22nd in his series debut at Auto Club in February.
8. Ken Butler III R3 82
*Manufacturers’ Standings
Although Toyota has claimed the last three victories at Auto Club Speedway, it’s Ford that has the most wins overall in series competition, winning the first of seven consecutive races in 2003. Dodge stepped up for the victory in 2004 before Ford won again in 2007, its last win at the track. Chevrolet has five wins in California.
2009 Manufacturers’ Championship Standings
Toyota 196
Chevrolet 182
Ford 170
Dodge 90
Following Race 29 of 35 at Kansas Speedway
Up Next: Series “Homecoming” At Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Fall is in the air and that means homecoming festivities are taking place across the country.
Most homecomings are associated with high school and college football, but in NASCAR, the truest of homecomings takes place for the majority of drivers and teams at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where most have their home bases.
A win in Charlotte is a big one, and no driver has collected more than Mark Martin, the series’ all-time leader in wins (48) and poles (30), who has six victories at the 1.5-mile track.
However, Martin’s record could be in jeopardy. Kyle Busch has four wins at LMS, including this race last year from the pole. Busch looked like he’d have three in a row in the bag in this year’s May race. He led the most laps but lost out to Mike Bliss, who took advantage of a late caution and the impending rain that shortened that event to 170 laps.
Matt Kenseth leads all drivers with four poles at LMS.
FAST FACTS
The Race: Copart 300
The Place: Auto Club Speedway (2-mile oval)
The Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
The Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Distance: 300 miles / 150 laps
2008 Winner: Kyle Busch
2008 Polesitter: Kyle Busch
Event Schedule (all times CT): Friday – Practice, 1:05-3:25 p.m.; Saturday – Qualifying, 9 a.m.
2009 STANDINGS
Driver Points
1 Kyle Busch 4,729
2 Carl Edwards 4,484
3 Brad Keselowski 4,422
4 Jason Leffler 3,879
5 Justin Allgaier 3,390
6 Steve Wallace 3,377
7 Jason Keller 3,249
8 Mike Bliss 3,322
9 Brendan Gaughan 3,139
10 Michael McDowell 3,024
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