NASCAR at California 2015: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info and Drivers to Watch
Oh, the storylines heading into Fontana.
Want dominance? That's exactly what Kevin Harvick has brought. How about a comeback story? Fellow Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kurt Busch provides just that. What about an underdog shocking the field with consistent results? We're looking at you, Martin Truex Jr.
This year truly has it all so far, and it's all coming to a head at Auto Club Speedway. Busch is on the pole for a record fourth time in Fontana, followed by Harvick, and Truex Jr. will start just outside the top 10 at 12th.
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With the green flag waving in just a few hours, here's a look at the full race information and drivers to watch for the Auto Club 400.
Race Information
Where: Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, California
When: Sunday, March 22
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: Motor Racing Network
Kurt Busch
What a ride it's been for Busch this season. Finally back in his No. 41 car last week, Busch promptly drove to a fifth-place finish.
Less than a week later, his speed is showing again in Fontana.
Busch was the fastest in a practice session before qualifying. He then topped all other drivers to claim the pole for Sunday's race. That wasn't enough, however, as Busch was at the head of both practice rounds Saturday.
Following the qualifying round, Busch thanked his entire team for building a fast car:
Constantly running up front, the No. 41 machine seems to be an unstoppable force at Auto Club Speedway.
That, of course, is just one variable it takes to drive into Victory Lane. Keeping a clean car and holding off Harvick will be huge, but Busch might just have what it takes to essentially clinch a Chase spot during his second week back.
Kevin Harvick
No driver on the planet is as hot as Harvick. The Closer was just that in 2014 en route to his first Sprint Cup championship. Already claiming two wins and two more runner-up results, he has kept blazing the trail he started last season.
Coming off a victory in Las Vegas, Harvick routed the field by leading 224 of the 312 laps and clinching back-to-back wins. That also secured his fourth straight at the same track, something that's only been accomplished by two other active drivers, per Marty Smith of ESPN:
Starting second this week, Harvick has a chance to also become just the third active driver to secure three straight wins. Jeff Gordon accomplished that feat in 1998 before winning his third championship in four years. Jimmie Johnson did the same in 2007 to win the title.
Harvick is still over 30 races before being able to compete for back-to-back championships, but it's a great list to be a part of for The Closer.
Martin Truex Jr.
So close, yet so far away. Despite his strong start, Truex needs a win to secure a spot in the Chase after missing out last year.
Truex has finished inside the top 10 in every race this season, but he led just four laps in those races. Then again, that's three more than he led all last year in his first season with Furniture Row Racing. He has two victories in his career, but neither has been with the single-car team.
Much like the first four races, Truex and the No. 78 machine have plenty of speed at Auto Club Speedway. He proved that Friday night by qualifying 12th. Truex will have to run down Busch, Harvick and Johnson—who has a record five wins at Fontana—but a victory would mean so much for him and his team as a whole.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
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