NASCAR STARS HEADED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: In just three weeks and two races, the stars of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series will head to Southern California for their second appearance at California Speedway on September 3-5. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup superstars Jeff Gordon, current points leader Jimmie Johnson and reigning series Champion Matt Kenseth will take to the 2-mile, D-shaped oval for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 on Sunday, September 5. Gordon was first to the checkered flag during the Auto Club 500 in May. Busch Series front-runners Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch will look to solidify their points positions with strong runs during the Target House 300, Saturday's featured attraction. Truex finished 13th in May's Stater Bros. 300 presented by Gatorade after running out of gas in the closing laps and Busch finished seventh.
STEWART BATTLES OFF SICKNESS FOR VICTORY: Despite his upset stomach that began early in the race (on lap 15 of 90), Tony Stewart not only led the most laps during the Sirius at The Glen, but also took home his second win of the season and second win at The Glen on Sunday, Aug. 15. The No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet beat Ron Fellows by 1.517 seconds to the start/finish line in the 220-mile race. Finishing third in the $4.6 million race was Mark Martin, a winner at California Speedway in 1998. This is Martin's fourth top-5 finish of the season. Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Kevin Harvick, Jeremy Mayfield, Ricky Rudd, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch finished sixth through tenth, respectively.
CHASE FOR THE NASCAR NEXTEL CUP: Even with their start positions set by point standings due to qualifying being cancelled, points leader Jimmie Johnson and second in the points Jeff Gordon still had a rough time at The Glen as they finished 40th and 21st, respectively. No point positions were exchanged between the top-7 drivers after Sunday's race but the points difference between each one definitely narrowed as the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup" continues. Gordon is only 40 points behind Johnson (3143) while Earnhardt Jr. (-128), Stewart (-192) and Kenseth (-267) round out the top five. Elliott Sadler (-351) and Busch (-389) stay at the sixth and seventh positions while Harvick (-426) and Bobby Labonte (-429) traded for eighth and ninth place, respectively. Mayfield (-487) moved up two to get into the top-10. Mayfield won here in 2000.
FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: With four races to go before the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup" gets underway, there are several drivers clamoring to get into the top-10 so they aren't on the outside looking in. According to NASCAR, there are 17 drivers with a mathematical shot at getting into the top-10, but only 10 will be in the chase or those within 400 points of the points leader. With the recent troubles the No. 48 team has come up against it is anyone's guess as to if just 10 cars will make the Chase, or if a few more drivers can narrow the gap and get their birth. This could place a large bulls eye on Jeremy Mayfield's bumper, as he sits in the 10th position. Kasey Kahne sits 11th in the standings just 24 points out of 10th. Other drivers reaching for the chase include Ryan Newman (-29 points out), Mark Martin (-72 points out), Dale Jarrett (-87 points out) and Jamie McMurray (-99 points out). Casey Mears, Michael Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Robby Gordon and Sterling Marlin sit 16th through 20th in the hunt, respectively, and all within 378 points of 10th place. Any of these racers, whether it is Martin or Wallace, who have both won at California Speedway, or another racer, could get into the chase. The Pop Secret 500 will play an important role in shaping the final 10, as it is the penultimate event before the chase begins.
TRUEX LOOKS TO STRENGTHEN LEAD AT MICHIGAN: Even though the NASCAR Busch Series had an off week, the series is roaring and ready to go as they head to Michigan this weekend. Busch's (-117) win two weeks ago narrowed the points gap between him and points leader Truex (3318), while Leffler (-374) and Biffle (-408) both moved up one spot to third and fourth positions, respectively. David Green (-447) sits in the fifth position while Ron Hornaday (-475) dropped from third to sixth. Bobby Hamilton Jr. (-498), Jason Keller (-499), Mike Bliss (-723) and Ashton Lewis (-854) wrap up the top ten, respectively.
PARTY ZONE: California Speedway's Party Zone is the only place where you are guaranteed the opportunity to mingle among NASCAR's elite. Beginning with the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500, Party Zone gets a new home within the infield. This location provides proximity to the pits; since a single-day pit pass is now included in each day purchased and is convenient for Infield RV Guests to participate. If that wasn't enough - this new location is closer to the drivers - the Party Zone will be loaded with NASCAR driver appearances!
Drivers/teams scheduled to appear: Sunday, September 5 Jimmie Johnson, Scott Wimmer, Scott Riggs, Cal Wells Saturday, September 4 David Green, Stacy Compton, Robert Pressley, Kenny Wallace
NEW PIT PASS RULES: California Speedway recently announced enhancements to its NASCAR Pit Pass which will go into effect for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 weekend. A QUICK GLANCE OF PIT RULES: Friday and Saturday:
- Minimum of age 18
- Shoulders and legs must be covered
- No open-toed shoes
- Pits stay open all day Friday
- Pits will close on Saturday 60 minutes before the start of the Target House 300
- Gates open at 7 a.m.
Sunday:
- No age requirement,
- No dress code,
- Pts will close 60 minutes before the start of the Pop Secret 500,
- Gates open at 11 a.m.
TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for the NASCAR event at California Speedway during Labor Day weekend are available by calling 1-800-944-RACE [7223]. Prices for Sunday's Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 race are $105 and $65. For Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series Target House 300, tickets are $50 and $40, while Friday's Chevy Trucks Pole Day tickets are just $10. Tickets can be purchased on the speedway's website at www.californiaspeedway.com.
RIDE THE TRAIN TO THE SPEEDWAY: Reserved seats on the specially chartered trains to California Speedway for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 can be purchased through the speedway's ticket office by calling 800-944-RACE [7223] or logging onto www.californiaspeedway.com.
FANS SPEAK: California Speedway is looking for favorite memories from its local fans here at the speedway, whether it's in the parking lot, grandstand, infield or pit row - we want to know. Jog your brain and tell us what makes this track your track. Include a picture if possible; a picture is worth a thousand words. Please send your stories and pictures to California Speedway, Fans Story, 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335. Stories and pictures will not be returned unless a self addressed stamped envelope is provided.
