The Auto Club Speedway, as it is now called, is another D-shaped mile oval. It is most similar to Michigan International Speedway in my opinion, with one exception; it is a flatter racing surface with less banking in the corners and on the straight-aways.

The flatter racing surface combined with the higher centre of gravity of the new Car of Tomorrow (CoT), high speeds, and usually high temperatures will put a lot of stress on the front right tire of these race cars. This is the tire you don’t want to fail when you are entering the corner to turn left at nearly 200 mph as all of the weight of the car is transferred to this tire when you enter the corner.

It is for this reason that it is really important for each and every driver to make sure they enter the corners properly and not overdrive the car because that will make the car roll over onto that front tire more than it has too and if you do that one too many times you’ll be having a nice meeting with the outside wall.

Another thing about this race track is that since the corners are long and sweeping the drivers tend to stay on the throttle more, which in turn keeps the rpm’s up giving the engine no breaks during the course of running the 500 miles to complete the race. It is tracks like this that have the engine department for each team sitting on the edge of their seats the whole entire weekend. It wouldn’t surprise me to see some teams limit their practice time prior to the race to save their engines for the main event.

Like Michigan, fuel mileage may be a factor at this track. Look for some of the teams to gamble on their fuel mileage to gain those ever so valuable points, or to get the win and the bonus points that may come with it in The Chase depending on where they are in the standings at the end of the 26 race qualifying season.

After watching the antics between Kyle Busch (18) and Carl Edwards (99) last weekend I wouldn’t expect to see a lot of give and take between these two this weekend, especially since they both run very well here.

As an aside, I think Kyle’s post-race actions at Bristol last week selfish and uncalled for. If you have ever read my blog (NASCAR Ranting and Raving) you would know that I’m not a Carl Edwards fan by any means, but I’m on his side on this one. Busch would have done the same to Edwards if the roles were reversed, without a doubt – heck if I were in that race I even would have done it.

Other drivers to watch out for at Fontana are Jimmie Johnson (48), Matt Kenseth (17), and Clint Bowyer (07). I would also expect a good run out of David Ragan (6) as he is steadily gaining momentum and edging his way into the Chase.