Jeff Gordon at Fontana: Time to Earn His First Win of 2010 in His Home State?

Jeff Gordon handpicked Jimmie Johnson to drive the car he co-owns with car owner Rick Hendrick. The No. 48 Lowes Chevy has won over 50 races and four NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships with Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel.

Many outside observers of NASCAR Sprint Cup would think Jeff Gordon would be ecstatic with the success of the team he co-owns.

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Jeff Gordon is a competitor and every race that Jimmie Johnson wins is another race that Jeff Gordon feels he could have won.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase heads to the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana this weekend for the Pepsi Max 400. Jeff Gordon is looking to recapture the magic he once possessed while racing on this long, flat two mile high speed track. 

In recent races held in Fontana, Jimmie Johnson has been the home state hero, having won five races in his nine year NASCAR Sprint Cup career. Johnson is looking to sweep the 2010 Auto Club Speedway races by winning the Pepsi Max 400 and his owner Jeff Gordon is looking to get his NASCAR Chase hopes in gear.

This weekend, as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase heads into the Auto Club Speedway for the Pepsi Max 400, this may be the best chance for Jeff Gordon to turn the tables on his protege Jimmie Johnson. 

Gordon's first win at the Auto Club Speedway came June 22, 1997; it was his 26th victory in hi NASCAR career and his first win in his home state of California.

Jeff Gordon does have eight wins in his home state of California but only three of them are at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

The other five California victories? Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, the road race in Northern California that is actually closer to Jeff Gordon's childhood home.

The Auto Club Speedway in Fontana does have a  special place in Jeff Gordon's heart—Gordon was the inaugural winner of the race in 1997. 

The Auto Club Speedway track does suit Jeff Gordon's style—the track is flat, wide and super fast.  Gordon is a driver that grew  up racing dirt sprint cars and he does know how to go fast and on the edge of out of control.

Jeff Gordon will have to get by his teammate, Jimmie Johnson, to win the Pepsi Max 400 this weekend.  Gordon knows how to set up the car for this track and as long as there is not a caution late in the race, Jeff Gordon has a legitimate chance to steal this race. 

If Gordon is in first or second place with five laps to go and a yellow flag comes out, all bets are off—Gordon has choked several restarts over the last two years and he will not be happy with a green, white, checker at the end of the Pepsi Max 400.