What to expect at Fontana.
There’ll be lots of drama and great story lines to set up a great race today at Fontana, all of which should add up to great Labor Day weekend entertainment. so, what can we expect? What are these story lines?
1) The Race for the Chase. All eyes will be on the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan Newman, Martin Truex, Clint Bowyer, and Kevin Harvick among others. Junior and Newman ABSOLUTELY must be good today to have any remaining hopes to stay in Chase contention. NEEDING to run well will can set in motion negative energy. It think it’s safe to say that on some level, Earnhardt’s recent struggles can be attributed to that desperation to run well. It’s kind of like a football team down 14 point at the beginning of the 4th quarter. The need to go long and make up ground in a hurry can lead to running a car too hard, and taking chances you ordinarily. My heart’s with the #8 Chevrolet, but I have my concerns about Junior’s chances. It may be just be too little too late. For the record, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch and Jeff Burton can clinch Chase spots today.
2) Showcasing for ‘08. With all the team changes in store for next year, several drivers will be free agents. J.J. Yeley has been pushed out of the Joe Gibbs Racing picture by the impending arrival of Kyle Busch, aced out of the Hendrick Motorsports picture by Dale Earnhardt Junior. Regan Smith’s future also seems cloudy with the DEI/ Bobby Ginn merger, as we know veteran racer mark Martin will share his ‘08 ride at DEI with Aric Almirola. Also rumored to be on the move is Bobby Labonte, and there’s no definitive word on the futures of Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek- sent packing by the merge of Ginn and DEI. And that may be only the tip of the iceberg. With the heavily rumored move of Joe Gibbs’ racing to Toyota in 2008 (more on that later this week), I’m sure fans of Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch would be greatly comforted by a good ‘07 finish for Toyota.
3) Three and Four-Wide Racing. The California Speedway offers a very wide track, giving drivers several options for running lines. If last night’s Busch race is any indicator (and I’m sure there is with all the Cup drivers pulling double duty to gain information about the track), we will see cars going three and four wide and of course, that leaves the door open for trading paint.
4) Fast Cars. This two-mile track with all of its width will provide opportunities for drivers to “air it out.” If you read my post from yesterday, you know whom I feel has the inside track to win it tonight. We’re going to find which teams’ engineers have been getting it right. It will also be interesting to see how all the fast driving will affect pitting, as speed COULD come at the expense of fuel mileage. It wasn’t a real huge factor last night, but we’ll see what happens, especially if tonight’s race is close.
5) Home Town Boys Making Good.I’m especially proud to point this out as Fontana is also my birthplace. Tonight’s field includes David Gilliland of Chino Hills, Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears, who hail from Bakersfield, Jimmie Johnson, who once called El Cajon home, A.J. Allmendinger from Los Gatos, and Robby Gordon from Bellflower. Though Vallejo is much further north, Jeff Gordon is also a Golden State native. and you thought NASCAR was a southern sport! This venue could prove inspirational.
6) Praying track officials Long time fans of the sport are still upset that the Labor Day race has been taken from Darlington, South Carolina- home to the old Southern 500. Thanks in part to the oppressive heat, turnout has been light. The good folks at Fontana are hoping and praying this race goes well. I can tell you the one-time home to Kaiser Steel can use the economic benefit of two NASCAR race dates per year. I’m sure NASCAR marketing types would like to see this continue to grow nationwide interest.
7) Changing Track ConditionOn his website “Labonte’s Laws” Bobby Labonte says that today’’s track will start slick and grip harder s the day turns to night. Race time is slated for 5 p.m. Pacific, meaning th sun will be headed down as we get to those critical late stages of the race. Survival belongs to those who can adapt.
I can’t wait! Let’s start this thing! For these reasons and may more, there are lots of good reasons to…..Stay Tuned!
