March 27th, 2011 
Journo I’ve been a big advocate through the years of removing California’s (or should I say Auto Club’s) second date. I’m just not a fan of the track. So I of course thought it was nothing short of a brilliant move last season when ISC took that second date and gave it to Kansas. As we’ve all seen through the years, the racing at California has been, well, sub-par. I was pleasantly surprised though on Sunday to find a race that wasn’t as spread out as usual and didn’t have a run away winner.
Through the first 75 laps of the race, the chatter on twitter was noticeably in favor of a caution, somewhere. And finally on lap 76 debris (somewhere) brought out the first caution of the race. From there, there were three more cautions through the remaining 121 laps. That meant closer fields and tougher racing situations.
Through the shortened 200 lap race (last season it was a 250 laps, though the fall race was the same) we saw 18 lead changes and 10 different leaders. Oh and did you see that finish?
With just nine laps to go, Kevin Harvick, who hasn’t had a spectacular season thus far, managed to make up four spots on four teams that had been running very well all day. Out of the last turn on the last lap it was Harvick who came up victorious – as they say, if you’re only going to lead one lap, that was the lap to lead.
He silenced all the RCR doubters, and showed he’s still here this season. Welcome back Kevin. And who would have thought we would see that at California? I certainly didn’t.
Harvick’s win made him the fifth different winner in five races – that’s a pretty solid start to the season if you ask me. California hasn’t produced solid races of late, but like everything this season, the race left me more than satisfied.
What did you think about the race? Did you like what you saw? Are you sad there’s just one race at California this season? Feel free to use this as your California open post!
An Owner’s Points Update
We’re five races in, so you know that means – our top-35 finally resets for this year. With competitive and full fields, that guaranteed spot is as important as ever.
Updating TC’s post from the other day, here are the five above and below that ever important top-35 mark.
30 Teresa Earnhardt 1 +30
31 Joe Gibbs 20 +26
32 Barney Visser 78 +25
33 Frank Stoddard Jr. 32 +10
34 Robby Gordon 7 +2
35 Bob Germain 13 0
36 Richard Petty 71 -6
37 Tommy Baldwin 36 -9
38 Brad Jenkins 37 -9
39 Bob Jenkins 38 -12
40 Roger Penske 77 -13
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Yes, the race was good for a California race, worth the wait for the finish, but it’s still a very good thing not to have to see another Cali race later this year
My negative surprise of the day, apart for Hamlin who is a surprise no more, is Jeff Gordon: he seems a bit lost after the Phoenix win.
A great finish, but we got it by luck. If Lebonte doesn’t wreck near the end, Kyle wins by a mile. It’s the same thing at Fontana, Michigan and Pocono frantic 4-5 wide racing after a restart for 10-15 laps then it’s follow the leader till the next yellow. Still I loved the finish, both for the last lap pass and that the 48 got beat at his home track. I’ve been slowly becoming a Harvick fan both for his skill and take no crap attitude.
I tell you what, those last few laps were beyond awesome! Gotta give a lot of credit to the top three for slicing and dicing and getting what they could without taking anybody out. They settled it by RACING instead of attrition and I could not be happier with the show! Also a big fan of the shorter race, more props to NASCAR for another good tweak.
That was a good race. IMO Doug in CA summed it up w/ last Wed post. ACS can be a good place to watch in person to see the many duels throughout the field. I thought FOX did a decent job of utilizing the split screens demonstrating the battles for us TV viewers. The long green flag run demos driver talent and car set-up.
I did want to hear what Smoke had to say post race after his “freefall”:(
I’m with ya’ll, the racing at California has always been sub-par as far as excitement and close finishes. It was always one or three cars hooked up and running good the first half… then 2 or 3 others hooking up later in the second half and the leader was 1-2 seconds ahead of 2nd place and everyone else was racing for 3rd.
That however, was the best finish California has ever had.
I bet they will sell more tickets next year!
Exciting racing and close finishes always gets peoples attention.
my .02 cents.
-W
Fontana is a track for a serious fan. Sure, the finish was spectacular, which will make lots of folks happy, but I’m a Burton fan, and watching him start 7th, work up to 5th, go a lap down on a pit speeding penalty, then make his lap back by passing the leader, finally working back to 9th before a final pit stop relegated him to 15th was spectacular. He had some multi-lap duels with Montoya that were classic.
That’s the stuff they won’t/can’t show you on TV: two cars mid-pack trying high lines, low lines, etc., over about 30 laps. They can go through the corners four wide there with no problem, and Fontana may have the most grooves of any track.
I have been going to Fontana since it opened, and this was one of the best races I have ever seen there. But, as they say, maybe you had to be there.