Sports

2010 Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club Speedway in California

See More About:

2010 Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club Speedway in California:

Auto Club Speedway plays host this weekend to the 2010 Pepsi Max 400. Last week Jimmie Johnson finished a strong second in Kansas and took over the Chase lead. This week Johnson returns to one of his favorite race tracks. Can anyone stop Jimmie Johnson from winning his fifth consecutive Championship?

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office (800) 944-7223 or 1-800-PITSHOP

The Track:

Auto Club Speedway in California is a fast and wide two mile "D" oval with 14 degrees of banking in the turns and 11 degrees in the front D. Due to the wide racing surface most races in California have very few cautions. As a result many Sprint Cup races have come down to fuel mileage battles

Race Distance:

200 laps = 400 miles

The Big Picture:

Last week in Kansas the 2010 Chase standings tightened considerably with Jimmie Johnson moving into the lead by just eight points ahead of Denny Hamlin. In fact, the top eight Chasers are separated by only 85 points with seven races remaining.

The top twelve:

Storylines:

Here we are again. The Chase for the Cup is underway and Jimmie Johnson is out front and returning this weekend to one of his favorite race tracks.

Jimmie Johnson comes to California having won four of the last six Auto Club Speedway races and with an amazing average finish of 5.5 in his 15 career starts. This is easily the best among all active competitors.

Jimmie Johnson is on top of the NASCAR world once again and has momentum and experience on his side. Can anyone stop Jimmie Johnson from winning his fifth consecutive Championship?

Media Coverage:

TV: ESPN Sunday October 10th 2:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 3:15PM Eastern

Recent Events:

2009 Winner: Jimmie Johnson

2009 Polesitter: Denny Hamlin

Previously...:

Last year Jimmie Johnson picked up another Auto Club Speedway victory. His only competition was Denny Hamlin. Hamlin made a mistake during a late race restart and spun off the front bumper of Juan Montoya.

With Hamlin battling back through the pack there was no one left to race Jimmie Johnson who cruised to the easy win.

Predictions:

500 miles in California can be brutal on engines. We often see engine failures late in the race and sometimes they even determine the outcome of the race.

Jimmie Johnson won this race each of the last three years and has only finished worse than third at Auto Club Speedway once since 2006. Jimmie knows his way around this race track. Plus, Jimmie is riding a wave of momentum with his sights set clearly on Championship number five. Jimmie Johnson has to be the favorite this weekend.

For my backup pick I am going with Carl Edwards. Edwards comes to Auto Club Speedway fourth in points just 53 behind Johnson. Edwards won here back in 2008 and has an impressive ten top ten finishes in his twelve career starts. Carl Edwards' 2010 Chase hopes could use a boost and this Sunday is a great opportunity for him to get the job done.

2010 Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club Speedway in California