Nascar - Auto Club 400

[GA_Boater]

Race #5 this weekend at Fontana, Ca. Unlike last week at Bristol, rain isn't in the picture. And since the track is 2 miles, the qualifying will be three rounds. The first 25 minute session with the 24 fastest moving into a 10 minute round 2, with the fast 12 to a 5 minute round 3.

Festivities kick off Friday afternoon with a 1 1/2 hour practice and Q-ing is at 7:40 Eastern/4:40 Pacific.

We have 4 drivers already most likely in the Chase. Will we have the first double winner this week or the fifth winner? We'll find out early Sunday evening. Get your picks/changes by the deadline and may the best iboater win.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

The 5th winner ....

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

The 5th winner ....

I'm thinking the same. We would have had a double if Jr. had a few more ounces of gas a couple of weeks ago.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Smoke for the win ... we are on a roll! LOL! Just looking at the races this year, and the push to win instead of a top 10 finish, it does seem to open up the racing a bit. But then, I haven't gotten to see a complete race yet, either ...:facepalm:

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Doesn't the Race for the Chase have you at the edge of your seat????:facepalm:

 

[aspeck]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Menard might be racing a little harder to celebrate the birth of his daughter ... however, he will miss Friday and Saturday, only being there for the race, so that puts him a little behind everyone else ...

 

[aspeck]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Doesn't the Race for the Chase have you at the edge of your seat????:facepalm:

Umm, no, but each race is a race for the chase ... so a little more risk goes into each one and I think as the season gets closer to the end we will see more risks taken for the win than we have in past years. Not sure I like that it isn't about consistency ... Joe Schmoe can win 1 race and finish last in all the others and make the chase ... somehow there needs to be a balance of both ...

 

[QC]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

At Fontana. Infield baby!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

At Fontana. Infield baby!

I was wondering if we had the official iboats race reporter. Keep us up to date, QC. :joyous:

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Not sure I like that it isn't about consistency ... Joe Schmoe can win 1 race and finish last in all the others and make the chase ... somehow there needs to be a balance of both ...

Couldn't agree more. Like your new "Underdog"........

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Points are still important. When the Chase rolls around, the single race winners with the highest points will get in if there are more than 16 race winners. But the Race to the Chase has lost it's luster in my mind.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Chance of more than 16 winners is slim to none....... Better chance of there being less than 16. But even so, it may be only a few fighting it out to get in...... I'm hoping Danica can win at 'Dega or 'Tona yet this year........

Not thrilled about the eliminations during the Chase and narrow it down to 4, winner take all. Too much like every other sport. I like the uniqueness that NASCAR use to be....... The Chase is like March Madness, the better team doesn't always win. Sometimes it comes down to who is hot on any given day. What it does do is make it very difficult for repeat champions. Not that I mind Jimmie not winning it again, but, I'd rather see "him" lose than have NASCAR tweak the rules and make it extremely difficult for Jimmie to win another championship..... Maybe NASCAR is getting too big for their britches and they will implode...... I've yet to hear anyone say "it was a good points day"....Lol

 

[QC]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

But there won't be 16 winners, so the last 4 or so spots will be points based. Overcast and cool here now. Comfortable though, I'm guessing 65. Huge party last night. There are 2500 RVs here. I'll post a pic or two soon.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

. I've yet to hear anyone say "it was a good points day"....Lol

Don't you listen to the post race interviews. The losers say that all the time. :lol:

After the finale all the talking heads will be doing the "What if we still has the old chase format" scenarios, just like the first or second Chase years. I think Gordon woulda won his 5th and 6th title if it wasn't changed. But it was changed and we started the Jimmy Dynasty because of it.

What I don't like is that the four drivers in the final Chase race at Homestead have an equal chance to win the Chase. How about this what if? One driver wins the first nine races in the Chase (unlikely, I know) and the Chase winning driver comes from the next top three in points after Mr. Nine In A Row blows his motor on lap number one. And all you have to do place higher than the the other three contenders in the finale. The highest position wins the championship regardless of points total. In my mind something is wrong with this!

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

I know the averages say we wont have 16 different winners, but, we did have 17 last year. I guess no matter how many winners we get this year, I still can't warm up to the new format........

Here's an "ah schucks" moment......

Busch fails inspection:Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch may be going for his seventh Nationwide Series victory at Auto Club Speedway, but he'll have to do so from the rear of the field on Saturday. The #54 Toyota failed to clear NASCAR technical inspection, despite multiple attempts. According to crew chief Adam Stevens, the initial issue was the length of the wheel studs. Once that issue was fixed by the team, NASCAR then determined there was too much skew in the car, and failed the #54 Toyota again. With a limited amount of time to make a qualifying attempt, Busch was never able to get on track and will start Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Auto Club Speedway in the 39th spot.(Fox Sports)(3-22-2014)

 

[64osby]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Looks like tires may play a big role in the Cup race, 8 tires down in the second practice. Logano to the back of the pack.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

That was a good N-Wide race. The Twerp didn't win. Kyle Larson did. The last few laps were good racin'.

 

[QC]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Just watched the last 70 laps from a pit road suite. I was thinking I wanted to up on the roof but we were right on top of Harvick's pit and it was amazing. The last 20 laps were fantastic. We were hanging with SHR people in the Rush Truck Center deal. One heck of a race.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

You know pics or it didn't happen, QC. You could be sittin' at home. :lol:

Right over a pit would be cool. Makes it even more interesting. Sounds like you're having a good time.

 

[64osby]

Re: Nascar - Auto Club 400

Larson doing the Victory slide with the steering wheel off. Nice!