Auto Club Speedway

Sunday's Pala Casino 400 marks the final NASCAR Cup Series race on Auto Club Speedway's historic surface, and will be followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series' ...

This doubleheader ends an era of incredible high-speed racing that began in 1997. “From our campers who lined up to park on Thursday to the fans who visited us at the box office this morning, we’ve seen nothing but an amazing show of support. “This is proof positive that support for NASCAR racing in Southern California is alive and well,” said Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen.

FONTANA, Calif. - After another exciting Daytona 500 last Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series gets set for its second race of the 2023 season by heading out west, ...

[FuboTV (Free Trial)](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/sports/?bgvideo=nascar_fox.mp4&title=Watch%20NASCAR%20live%20on%20FS1%20and%20FOX&subinfo=Stream%20On%20Your%20TV,%20Phone,%20Computer%20and%20More&priceline=Watch%20live%20or%20record%20it%20for%20later.%20Regional%20Restrictions%20Apply&irad=356371&irmp=1810040), [Sling](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Fshows%2Fmonster-energy-nascar-cup-series&xcust=xid:fr1676322160020efh Other notable drivers in the field that have won before includes Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick. Other drivers that ran well in Daytona included a pair of drivers that ended up in the Championship 4 last season. was awarded the Daytona 500 title, giving him an early berth in the playoffs, while also giving the driver for the No. Upstart Chris Buescher is looking to build off a solid finish last Sunday, as he ended up in fourth behind the other two drivers. [FuboTV (7-day free trial)](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/sports/?bgvideo=nascar_fox.mp4&title=Watch%20NASCAR%20live%20on%20FS1%20and%20FOX&subinfo=Stream%20On%20Your%20TV,%20Phone,%20Computer%20and%20More&priceline=Watch%20live%20or%20record%20it%20for%20later.%20Regional%20Restrictions%20Apply&irad=356371&irmp=1810040)

The final race of the NASCAR Cup Series' February lineup, the Pala Casino 400, is underway on FOX. Here are the top moments!

an unlikely winner in unpredictable and historic Daytona 500](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/ricky-stenhouse-jr-an-unlikely-winner-in-unpredictable-historic-daytona-500) [Xfinity Series](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/xfinity-series) and Cup Series drivers will race Sunday with no practice. The loss of momentum dropped Busch back to sixth, while [Bubba Wallace](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/darrell-wallace-jr-driver) was hot on his tail after starting 18th. wins wild NASCAR showdown](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/daytona-500-live-updates-nascar-cup-series-top-moments-on-fox) [Ricky Stenhouse Jr. It wasn't long until [Alex Bowman](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/alex-bowman-driver), the 2020 Fontana winner, took over the lead on Lap 2. [Christopher Bell](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/christopher-bell-driver) won the pole for Sunday's race, while Daytona 500 winner [Ricky Stenhouse Jr.](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/ricky-stenhouse-jr-driver) joined him on the front row to start. The Xfinity Series race will follow the Cup race at approximately 8 p.m. [Cody Ware](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/cody-ware-driver), who also began up front, immediately sunk like stones from their starting spots. [Tyler Reddick](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/tyler-reddick-driver) dominated this race last year, leading 90 of 200 laps, before a cut tire ultimately decided his fate. [NASCAR Cup Series: Full 2023 schedule, dates, race results](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/nascar-cup-series-2023-season-full-schedule-race-results) [Daytona 500 lessons, storylines to watch rest of Cup season](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/daytona-500-lessons-storylines-to-watch-rest-of-cup-season) [Daytona 500 highlights: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. However, he lost 17 laps in the process. [Ross Chastain](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/ross-chastain-driver) and [Joey Logano](https://www.foxsports.com/nascar/joey-logano-driver) began to chase down Bowman for the top spot as the first 10 laps flew by.

Will Kyle Larson repeat at Auto Club Speedway? We have your Pala Casino 400 Picks and Best Bets for Fontana.

His Xfinity career included a win and Top 5 finishes in 4 of 5 races here at Auto Club. In Nascar’s top level, Dillon’s top tracks in average finish are Miami, Darlington, and here at Auto Club. He notched Top 5’s in 3 of his 4 races at Homestead-Miami. He qualified on pole, was one of the 10 fastest cars all day, and finished the first two stages inside the top 10. He is simply one of the most well rounded racers in the sport. His worst finish over the last seven races here is 12th; that’s his only finish lower than 7th. Logano is one of the most accomplished drivers in the Cup Series. And led the 6th most laps. Kyle has top 5’s in five of his last seven races at Homestead-Miami. Had the 2nd most top 5 finishes with 13. Regardless, it’s pedal to the metal towards the sportsbook. Larson has lived up to his nickname “Young Money” at Auto Club and all similar tracks.

While the Pala Casino 400 at Auto Club Speedway is the second race of the season, it's the perfect chance to make a statement. Who will step up?

“We seem to be really good on that style race track,” the 2021 Cup Series champion — who has triumphed a total of 13 times over the past two seasons — said in a Team Chevy news release. “I like going out there, I like the West Coast, it’s a fun track. It’s really a fun track for the drivers.” “I have had a lot of success there in the past with other drivers, and it’s honestly one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. “Auto Club is a track that Alex has won at and dominated in 2020,” said Blake Harris, Bowman’s first-year crew chief, in a Team Chevy news release. “I obviously love the layout. Truex’s maiden victory at the fast oval track was a dominant one in which he led 125 of 200 laps with his former team — the since disbanded Furniture Row Racing — in 2018. There’s a lot you can do with that track with the multiple lanes you can race.” “I think Auto Club Speedway has been a really good track for me over the years just because I like the track,” Busch said in a Team Chevy news release. Let’s take a peek at the five drivers with the best opportunity to go to Victory Lane, starting at No. Just hours before Bowman won the pole last week for the Daytona 500, Hendrick Motorsports announced it had reached a “I’m hoping we can add one spot to that on Sunday and get the trophy,” Dillon said in a Team Chevy news release.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Auto Club Speedway this weekend for the Pala Casino 400, the final race on the track's original, two-mile oval configuration.

are among the recent winners at Auto Club Speedway who will look to send this oval off the right way. While Auto Club's wide groove and worn out asphalt has made it a fan and competitor favorite, the speedway is set to be redeveloped into a short track after this weekend, an ambitious project that will keep it off the schedule in 2024 and potentially beyond. But what was once new has now become old, and one driver will leave this track with the final checkered flag of what it once was.

RCR newcomer Kyle Busch surged to his first victory of the NASCAR Cup Series season Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.

Obviously, I think we still have some work to do, but it was really nice to just see a lot of that hard work pay off and have the car driving like we were wanting it to do. “We obviously didn’t run very good there toward the end of the year last year, and just everybody really went to work hard over the winter to try and get better. By race’s end, it was competitive with the fastest cars in the field. With qualifying rained out on Saturday, Elliott started 31st according to a metric formula based on owner points and performance in the previous race (the Daytona 500). We did a lot of sim stuff, a lot of testing in general, just trying to get up to speed. The victory was the 61st of Busch’s career, most among active drivers and ninth all-time.

Kyle Busch, who signed with Richard Childress Racing after 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing, drove to victory Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.

And any faint hope of a reprieve to preserve the current layout seemingly vanished earlier this week when When you hear what some of the numbers (for the sale) were, how do you not take that?" When drivers started checking up, a massive incident was triggered, ultimately collecting 10 cars for the largest wreck in a Cup race at Auto Club Speedway since the facility opened in 1997. Fontana won’t host a NASCAR weekend in 2024, and the new setup might not be ready until 2026, if it happens at all. I can't thank (new teammate) Austin (Dillon) for calling me and getting me talking and getting me this opportunity to be able to come over here to RCR; and be a part of Chevrolet." Alex Bowman driving for Hendrick, and Austin Dillon, Busch's new teammate at RCR, finished eighth and ninth, respectively, while reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano rounded out the Top 10 in a Team Penske Ford. Auto Club Speedway’s racetrack seems to be adored by every professional driver on the continent. Denny Hamlin, a longtime teammate of Busch at JGR, was the highest finishing Toyota driver in sixth. Chastain's Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez finished fourth, giving Chevrolet a sweep of the top four spots. Busch has now won a Cup Series race for 19 consecutive years, setting a new NASCAR record. "I'm going to enjoy it for sure, and hopefully there's many more left to go.” 8 Chevrolet to victory Sunday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Kyle Busch wins for Richard Childress Racing in a dominant showing that could mark the final Super Speedway NASCAR race in Southern California.

Busch’s nickname is “Rowdy,” and many wrongly assume it is a nod to his aggression on the track and rather cocky attitude. “Winning the last one here was super meaningful to me.” About 3½ hours later, one driver was doing a burnout on his victory lap, providing the final memory on an iconic track. In the end, they did a great job preparing the track and we were able to put on a good race.” He and Busch — who are tied among active drivers with a record 60 Cup Series wins — were first and second with 62 laps to go after Chastain had led most of the race. NASCAR confirmed Friday it has sold most of the Auto Club Speedway land to its business partner Hillwood, a Dallas-based company that is helping NASCAR sell properties nationwide. But I was able to do enough and find a groove. By Lap 40, the front of cars looked like they’d been sandblasted, and pit crews had to be mindful not to slip on debris that shook out of grills during stops. They also used hand saws and drills to create troughs in the track where water could drain from outside banks to the apron. It marked the 19th season in a row that he has won a Cup Series race, one year longer than that of previous record-holder Richard Petty. It’s fun to set records, always, and when you get to do it with your brother, it’s special for your parents.” Who could be surprised that Busch took the last Auto Club 400 even though he is coming off a down season in which he won only one Cup Series race?

Busch breaks a tie with Richard Petty for the most consecutive seasons with a win.

Running away from the rest of the field in the final miles, Kyle Busch drove his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to a win Sunday at Auto Club Speedway.

We just got collected and went through the grass and the right front of The Beast Unleashed Toyota Camry TRD was broke.” [Aric Almirola](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48429/aric-almirola) — Finished 35th: “I took off on the restart and went from second to third gear, and all of a sudden everybody in front of us just stopped. You are just going off the guy in front of you and all of sudden he slows down and I got into him, and other guys got into me.” [Ryan Preece](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48491/ryan-preece) — Finished 33rd: “It’s kind of stupid, to be honest with you, on a professional level and we all wreck on a restart. That’s why we stayed out that run, to see what our car would do in clean air and if we needed to work on it, which we did, and I felt like we just kept on making it better and better.” [Tyler Reddick](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48325/tyler-reddick) — Finished 34th: “I saw it stacked up pretty bad. I was racing around Aric, and we were just trying to be smart and get to the end of the race. A decent day.” [Brad Keselowski](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48440/brad-keselowski) — Finished 7th: “We didn’t have a great start to the race — wasn’t driving really good, and I wasn’t really happy with it. We’ve got a lot of work to do going into next week, but I feel like we can learn from it and move on.” [Christopher Bell](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48626/christopher-bell) — Finished 32nd: “Yeah, just the same thing that everybody already said – you can’t see what’s going on. Obviously, I think we still have some work to do, but it was really nice to just see a lot of that hard work pay off and have the car driving like we were wanting it to do. We’ll just keep working on it – getting a little bit closer, so we can be in the hunt towards the end.” [Todd Gilliland](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48625/todd-gilliland) — Finished 17th: “This is something for us to build on. In the end, they did a great job preparing the track, and we were able to put on a good race.” In the end, we had a chance, but I couldn’t put us in the right position on the restarts to guard our track position like we needed to. It would just feel pretty loose late in the runs, and at times it was enough, and at times they got way better. We’ve done a lot of sim stuff, we’ve done a lot of testing in general just with trying to get up to speed, systems and all that sort of stuff.

Kyle Busch beats Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain at Auto Club Speedway for his 61st career NASCAR Cup Series win. Check race full results here.

200 “I think this (win) ranks high,” Busch said. “I think the leader was just playing games, trying to prevent the runs coming from behind, and they stopped in the middle of the restart zone right about where they should have been accelerating. The first two stages on Sunday saw 16 lead changes, eight different leaders and six cautions for 28 laps. “Congratulations to Kyle,” Elliott said post-race. “Just because it (speaks) to the fact of, ‘Hey, I can do it.’ I never doubted myself, but sometimes you do, you know? Sometimes you wonder what’s going wrong... But Sunday belonged to Busch, one of the most polarizing and recognizable drivers in NASCAR. One of those cautions collected eight cars on a restart — and knocked out a good chunk of the field in the process. It also means that he’s now won a Cup race in each of the past 19 seasons, breaking a tie with Richard Petty for first-all time. “I took off on the restart and went from second to third gear, and all of a sudden everybody in front of us just stopped,” Almirola said after he emerged from the infield care center. [moving from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article265697321.html) last fall.

Kyle Busch won Sunday's 400-mile race at Auto Club Speedway. What drivers had to say during and after the race.

We just got collected and went through the grass and the right front of The Beast Unleashed Toyota Camry TRD was broke.” [Aric Almirola](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48429/aric-almirola) — Finished 35th: “I took off on the restart and went from second to third gear, and all of a sudden everybody in front of us just stopped. You are just going off the guy in front of you and all of sudden he slows down and I got into him, and other guys got into me.” [Ryan Preece](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48491/ryan-preece) — Finished 33rd: “It’s kind of stupid, to be honest with you, on a professional level and we all wreck on a restart. I felt like we had worked to get the car in a good direction by Stage 3 and had a good restart, but we just got fenced. It was a good points day and we will keep fighting.” [Joey Logano](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48369/joey-logano) — Finished 10th: “It looks like we were in the hunt. A decent day.” [Brad Keselowski](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48440/brad-keselowski) — Finished 7th: “We didn’t have a great start to the race — wasn’t driving really good, and I wasn’t really happy with it. I was racing around Aric, and we were just trying to be smart and get to the end of the race. P21 was a decent finish for the day we had.” [Noah Gragson](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48606/noah-gragson) — Finished 22nd: “A decent day for our Sunseeker Resorts Chevy. We’ve got a lot of work to do going into next week, but I feel like we can learn from it and move on.” [Justin Haley](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48577/justin-haley) — Finished 21st: “Our No. We’ll just keep working on it – getting a little bit closer, so we can be in the hunt towards the end.” [Todd Gilliland](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/auto-racing/nascar/player/48625/todd-gilliland) — Finished 17th: “This is something for us to build on. Obviously, I think we still have some work to do, but it was really nice to just see a lot of that hard work pay off and have the car driving like we were wanting it to do. In the end, we had a chance, but I couldn’t put us in the right position on the restarts to guard our track position like we needed to. In the end, they did a great job preparing the track, and we were able to put on a good race.”

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Dow Coatings Chevrolet Team Battle to Top-10 Finish at Auto Club Speedway 9th 28th 23rd “We had a fast Dow Coatings Chevro...

We put ourselves in a different situation and we were able to come out here and be rewarded. We've done a lot of SIM stuff, and we've done a lot of testing to try to get up to speed. I can't thank Austin Dillon enough for calling me and getting me talking and getting me this opportunity to be able to come over here to Richard Childress Racing and be a part of Chevrolet and be able to race this Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro today.

In just his second points-paying race with Richard Childress Racing, Kyle Busch drove his No. 8 Lucas Oil Camaro ZL1 to the win at Auto Club Motor Spe...

We got back on the lead lap and then got it really good there at the end. We had really good speed at the end, ran with the guys in the top three, but we were a lap down. It was a good points day and we will keep fighting.” Trent (Owens) made some great calls to help the ride quality of the car, and we knew if we could get some track position we would be in a good spot. “Just a tough day for our No. We stayed out in the final run of the second stage and got really, really tight. Obviously I think we still have some work to do, but it was really nice to just see a lot of that hard work pay off and have the car driving like we were wanting it to do. Appreciate everybody on our NAPA team for just sticking with it and sticking with each other. We kept up with it and it would just build pretty loose late in the runs. So, as much as it stings, and as much as it does hurt, hats off to Chevrolet for the top four there and for Trackhouse (on our finishes) at our first crack at big tracks here. To start off the way that we have this year is a total 180 from last year when it was not like this. Our balance was building loose most of the day, so I thought we did everything right.

Busch breaks a tie with Richard Petty for the most consecutive seasons with a win.