Welcome to the 2009 Season Opener Auto Club 500

The NASCAR season begins Sunday at California. 

Yes, the Daytona 500 kicks off the season. That is restrictor plate racing. It is a whole different style and at  any lap you could be mid-pack and the next lap your the leader.

I like drafting and I enjoy restrictor plate racing, but the teams only race on those style of tracks four times a year.

Daytona alone is a different monster and doesn't fairly  represent which drivers will be contenders and which will be pretenders.

But in my mind and many others California is the real start to a cup season and this year it couldn’t be more critical.

California is the real test for these teams, particularly this season with no testing in the off season and with so many new teams forming that never had the chance to get a real feel for there cars other than on the Dyno machines and through data.

Also this is a test for the guys that really struggled last season adapting to the new car.

Many feel the new testing rules should not only benefit them but give them a chance to catch up to the best in the field.

As far as new teams and organization the new testing ban benefited them the most.  Cutting cost and allowing these teams at least a chance to compete against the mega teams that have ruled NASCAR for the last decade or so.

Mayfield Motorsports founded by NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield was a team that was started because of the down economy. With just one race car and borrowed chassis and parts this team made up of mostly volunteer employees qualified for Daytona but plan to run a full schedule this year.

Mayfield credits NASCAR for his new team, "I have to give NASCAR a lot of credit for the things they’ve done in the sport over the last two years to make it possible for people like me to get involved as a team owner," continued Mayfield. "The new COT car and even more importantly the testing ban have made it a reality for me to come in and compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."

Another driver owner looks to use California as a real test for how this season will turn out.

Tony Stewart took on HAAS CNC Racing last fall after the opportunity to take part ownership in this struggling organization was presented.

As the 2008 season ended Stewart and new teammate Ryan Newman worked throughout the off season to get the newly formed Stewart HAAS Racing prepared for Speedweeks and the 35 races that follow.

Stewart knows that how they run at California will be a key to know where they stand within the series. 

“Daytona does overshadow California and Vegas and some of the early tracks on the schedule.  Once you get through Daytona, these next two or three races after that really set the tone for your season.  It gives you an accurate assessment of where your program is right off the bat.”  

For some California will determine if off season changes helped or hurt the team.

For some of NASCAR best organization some teams are looking to rebound and California could be exactly what they needed.

With no testing many teams will not be in qualifying trim during the first practice session. It's a learning experience to find where your car hooks up well with the track.

Teams like Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and newly crowned Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth are looking to see improvement over last year on this style of track. All three struggled to get a handle on this race car and they are hoping that a test free off season means  they will be able to find the success others had last year.

Without testing, I think the teams that were successful on the intermediate tracks last year will probably be strong again," said Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon, a three-time winner at Fontana, including the inaugural 1997 race. "But that's a double-edged sword. When you're successful, you're afraid to change too much. Teams that weren't strong may roll the dice and look outside the box, and they may hit on something."

Another factor that comes into play is the economy. Most  figured that Daytona would sell out even if it took to the 11th hour.  And it did.

But now California will be a true test for NASCAR and it attendance. NASCAR  shot themselves in the foot this year.

Scheduling the California race not only Oscar weekend, but  it will go head to head with the Oscars with a starting time late afternoon on west coast  and about 6:20 pm on the east coast.

Not NASCAR brightest ideas but when it came to scheduling and now they will compete for viewers.

California has always struggled to sell out for the last couple years. Two dates per season here in a tough market, makes California the most likely to be the first event to lose a cup date  in the coming years.

With a crumbling economy and millions out of work, fans can't afford to spend like they have in the past.

Many expect California to barely be half full come Sunday and many think that this will be the first of many tracks that struggle to sell out the races.

Sunday is the beginning of the season for 43 drivers and the eyes of NASCAR and fans everywhere will be looking to see who are the true contenders and how will the NASCAR make out with the down turning economy.