Race 2 Win: Sony HD 500

Nextel Cup Series

California Speedway

Track data
Race #: 25 of 36 (9-03-06)
Track Size: 2 Miles
Event: Sony HD 500
Number of Laps: 250
Location: Fontana, CA.
Length of Event: 500 Miles
Length of Front Stretch: 3,100
Length of Back Stretch: 2,500
Feet Degree of Banking in Corners: 14 degrees
Feet Degree of Banking on Straights: 11 degrees(Tri-oval)/ 3 degrees(Back)

Qualifying/Race data:
Last year's pole winner: Carl Edwards 185.061 mph 8-2-05 38.906 seconds
Last year's event winner: Kyle Busch 136.356 mph 8-4-06 3 hr, 43 min, 32 sec
Track qualifying record: Kyle Busch 188.435 mph 2-23-05 38.248 seconds
Track race record: Jeff Gordon 155.012 mph 6-22-97 3hr, 13min, 32 sec

Historical data
Previous race winners
Jeff Gordon (3) Mark Martin (1) Jeremy Mayfield (1) Rusty Wallace (1) Jimmie Johnson (1) Kurt Busch (1) Elliott Sadler (1) Greg Biffle (1) Kyle Busch (1) Matt Kenseth (1)
Races won from the pole: 0 of 12 events (0%)
Races won from in top 10: 5 of 12 events (42%)
Races won from outside top 10: 7 of 12 events (58%)

Track Milestones

Joe Nemechek won the Bud Pole for the inaugural NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at California Speedway in 1997. Greg Sacks broke Nemechek's track-qualifying record in the second round of qualifying.

Jeff Gordon won the inaugural NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at California on June 22, 1997.

September 2004 was the first night-race at California Speedway and also was the first time there were two races a year there.

Track Update
Hendrick Motorsports has won five of the 12 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at California: Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999 and February 2004); Jimmie Johnson (2002) and Kyle Busch (September 2005). Jack Roush Racing has posted four victories there: Mark Martin (1998), Kurt Busch (2003), Greg Biffle (February 2005) and Matt Kenseth (February 2006).

Manufacturer Update
Ford has seven victories at California while Chevrolet has five. Rusty Wallace posted the best California finish for Dodge with a third-place finish in 2003, which was duplicated by Ryan Newman in the first race of 2004.

Qualifying Update
There have been 11 different Bud Pole winners in the 12 races at California Speedway. Jeff Burton (1999) started from the pole when qualifying was canceled.

The Money
Purse $5,993,974
NASCAR NEXTEL Leader Bonus $40,000

Tire/Fuel Data
Estimated Pit Window: Every 49-52 laps, based on fuel mileage

Track Tidbits

There have been 12 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at California Speedway since the track opened in 1997.

Eleven drivers have competed in all 12 races at California.

There have been 11 different Bud Pole winners at California Speedway. No one has duplicated the feat (qualifying was canceled in 1999).

Carl Edwards is the defending Bud Pole winner for the Sony HD 500.

Ten different drivers have posted NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series victories at California Speedway. Jeff Gordon (three) is the only multiple race winner there.

Kyle Busch is the defending race winner for the Sony HD 500.

Seven of the 12 races at California were won from outside the top-10 starting positions. Five of the past six have been won from outside the top-15.

Matt Kenseth won the 2006 Auto Club 500 from the 31st starting position, the deepest in the field that a race winner has started at California.

There has not been a caution-free race at California Speedway.

Two races at California Speedway have been run beyond the 250-lap scheduled distance: 2005 Sony HD 500 (254 laps) and 2006 Auto Club 500 (251).

All of the 11 drivers that have completed in all 12 races at California have led laps there except Sterling

Would You Believe?
Mark Martin has six top-10 finishes, including one victory, in 12 races at California. He also failed to finish three times. One of Martin's DNFs was his first top-10 – when he ran out of gas on the final lap of the inaugural race in 1997, yet still finished 10th.

Mr. California
Jeff Gordon leads all other drivers with five top-five finishes, including three victories, at California. Jimmie Johnson has one victory and four top-fives there. Both drivers are native-Californians.

Moving Up
Eleven of the 12 races at California had a at least half of the top-10 finishers start outside the top 10. In 1999, only three of the top-10 finishers started outside the top 10.

Leading the Way
Six drivers have led almost half of the 3,255 laps raced at California. Jeff Gordon (413), Mark Martin (268), Greg Biffle (258), Matt Kenseth (246), Kurt Busch (193), Tony Stewart (185) and Rusty Wallace (164) have combined for 1,727 laps led.

California Speedway Background
The California Speedway is a two-mile D-shaped oval superspeedway located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. It is 52 miles east of Los Angeles and 60 miles west of Palm Springs. During the 1997 season the speedway accommodated 80,000 fans with an eventual seating capacity of 107,000. The total cost of the project was approximately $120 million.

There are 16 million people living within 150 miles of the California Speedway, which is the only superspeedway in the Southern California area. The region is the second largest economic area in the United States and has the largest automotive and trucking sales in the world.

The California Speedway complex sits on 529 acres in Fontana, within the shadows of the San Bernadino Mountains. The two-mile oval is 75 feet wide with a 15-foot apron. Banking is 14 degrees in the turns. The front stretch is 3,100 feet long and is banked 11 degrees on the tri-oval while the backstretch is 2,500 feet with 3 degrees banking. Pit road is 2,200 feet long with 44 individual pit areas. There are three garages with 100 spaces.

California Milestones
Sterling Marlin is expected to make his 700th career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup start at California. He joins an elite group of drivers that include Richard Petty (1,185), Dave Marcis (883), Ricky Rudd (875), Terry Labonte (844), Darrell Waltrip (809), Kyle Petty (773), Bill Elliott (751), Bobby Allison (719), Rusty Wallace (706) and Buddy Baker (701).

California Pole Winners Galore
There have been 11 different Bud Pole winners in the 12 races at California. Qualifying was rained out in 1999.

Starting Up Front is not Important at California Speedway
Seven of the last nine races at California Speedway have been won from starting positions outside the top- 15, including the 2006 spring race won by Matt Kenseth from the 31st starting position, the deepest starting position of a race winner there.

California Streaks

Greg Biffle has started in the top 10 in the last four straight races at California.

Jimmie Johnson has posted three straight top-10 starts at California.

Carl Edwards has posted four straight top-10 finishes in four races at California.

Jamie McMurray has posted four straight top-10 finishes in his six races at California. He is the only driver to score top-15 finishes in all six of his races at California Speedway.

Recent Dominance at California
Mark Martin leads all drivers, scoring six top-10 finishes in 12 races at California Speedway. Martin has scored top-15 finishes in his last five races there.

Owner Wins at California Speedway
Rick Hendrick has scored five wins at California Speedway, the most of any car owner. Those five wins were scored by: Jeff Gordon (three), Jimmie Johnson (one) and Kyle Busch (one). His last California victory was posted by Busch in this race one year ago.

Leading The Way at California Speedway
Jeff Gordon led 413 laps in 12 races at California, the most of all drivers.

Would you Believe?
There have been nine different race winners in the last nine races at California Speedway.

California Standouts

Eleven drivers have started all 12 races at California Speedway.

Eleven drivers scored Bud Poles in the 12 races at California Speedway.

Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with three victories at California. He is the only driver with multiple victories there.

Mark Martin leads all full time, active drivers with six top-10 finishes at California Speedway.

Denny Hamlin (5.0), Kasey Kahne (8.6), Brian Vickers (9.2) and Scott Riggs (9.8) all have average starts of 10th or better at California Speedway.

Carl Edwards (4.5), Jamie McMurray (7.0) and Jimmie Johnson (7.57) all have average finishes of 10th or better at California Speedway.

Who's Hot

Jimmie Johnson has scored a top-15 finish in 21 of the 24 races in 2006, the most of all drivers.

Jimmie Johnson has finished on the lead lap in the last 19 races, since Martinsville in April

Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to score 18 top-10 finishes in the first 24 races of 2006, four more than any other driver.

Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne have each won four races in 2006, the most of all drivers.

Matt Kenseth has posted 13 top-five finishes in 2006 and ranks second in the point standings. After 24 races one year ago, he ranked 11th.

Denny Hamlin has scored top-15 finishes in 14 of the last 15 races. He has scored six straight top-10 finishes.

Kevin Harvick has posted eight straight top-15 finishes. Harvick has been running at the finish in the last 36 races.

Top 10 in Points at This Track

First
Jimmie Johnson finished 10th in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He remained first in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings, but is now just seven points ahead of second-place Matt Kenseth. Johnson has clinched a spot in the 2006 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, his third straight year to do so. Johnson has finished in the top-10 in each of his four years as a full-time driver. Johnson has scored 18 top- 10 finishes in 24 races this season, four more than any other driver. He has four victories (Daytona, Las Vegas, Talladega and Indianapolis), tied with Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne for the most victories this season. Johnson has scored 21 top-15s in the first 24 races, the only driver to do so. One year ago Johnson ranked second in the point standings, 213 behind then point leader Tony Stewart. Johnson has ranked among the top-10 for 93 straight races, since Atlanta in March 2004. Two races ago Johnson held a 124-point lead over Kenseth, the biggest point lead of the season. Johnson has been running at the finish in his last 24 races. Johnson has competed in seven races at California Speedway scoring one victory (2002 rookie season) and four top-10 finishes. Johnson has a 7.571 average finish at California, ranking third among active drivers. He finished 16th in this race one year ago, tying his worst California finish set in 2003. He finished second there in February, his third second-place finish in seven races there. Johnson has been running at the finish in all of his races at California Speedway. He has led in four of his seven races at California. Johnson has won at least one race each season for five consecutive years (2002-2006).

Second
Matt Kenseth finished first in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, scoring his fourth victory in 2006. He has also scored victories at California Dover and second Michigan this season. Kenseth remained second in the point standings and is only seven points behind point leader Jimmie Johnson. He clinched a spot in the 2006 Chase, his third straight year to do so. Kenseth has a 314-point lead over third-place Kevin Harvick which insures that he will rank no worse than second entering the Chase if he starts the final two races in the “Race to the Chase”. Kenseth remained second in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings for the 13th straight race. One year ago he ranked 11th in the point standings after 24 races. Kenseth has ranked among the top-five in the point standings since his victory in Race No. 2 at California, 23 straight races. Kenseth has been running at the finish in the last 18 races, since Texas in April. He has competed in nine races at California Speedway scoring one victory and five top-10 finishes. His only California victory came there this past February. He has been running at the finish in all of his races at California Speedway. He finished seventh in this race one year ago. Kenseth has led in seven of his nine races at California. Kenseth has a 12.1 finishing average at California Speedway. Kenseth has won at least one race each season for five consecutive years (2002-2006).

Third
Kevin Harvick finished 11th in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and remained third in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Harvick has ranked among the top 10 in the last 18 races, since Texas in April. One year ago he ranked 16th in the point standings. Harvick has scored 13 top-10 finishes in 2006 and top- 15 finishes in his last eight races. Harvick has been running at the finish in the last 36 races, the longest current streak. He has competed in eight races at California Speedway scoring just two top-10 finishes. He finished 14th in this race one year ago and 29th there in February. He has led in just three of his eight races at California Speedway. Harvick has a 21.875 average finish at California Speedway, the worst average finish among the top 10. Harvick is 219 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

Fourth
Kyle Busch finished second in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and climbed from seventh to fourth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings, posting the biggest gain among the top-10 drivers. One year ago Busch ranked 22nd after 24 races. Busch has scored 13 top-10 finishes in 24 races in 2006. He has scored nine top-15 finishes in the last 10 races. Busch has posted just one DNF in 2006, an accident at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Busch has been running at the finish in the last 12 races. Busch has competed in four races at California Speedway finishing first in this race one year ago and 10th there in February. He has led in two of his four races there, leading 95 laps with his victory in this race one year ago. He has a 14.5 average finish at California Speedway. Busch is 138 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

Fifth
Jeff Gordon finished fifth in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and climbed from sixth to fifth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. It marked his ninth top-five finish in 2006. Gordon has scored two victories in 2006, winning at Infineon and Chicago. His four DNFs in 2006 are the most of any driver in the top- 10. Gordon has scored 16 top-15 finishes in 24 races in 2006. Gordon has three victories and five top-10 finishes, all top-fives, in his 12 races at California Speedway. He is the only driver to post multiple victories at California. Gordon finished 21st in this race one year ago and 13th there in February. Gordon's last victory at California came there in May 2004, the first year of twice a year racing at California. Gordon has led 413 laps in his 12 career races at California Speedway the most of all drivers. Gordon is just six points behind fourth-place Kyle Busch. He is 132 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

Sixth
Denny Hamlin finished sixth in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and climbed from eighth to sixth in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Hamlin has scored two victories in 2006, sweeping both races at Pocono Raceway. He has scored 12 top-10 finishes in 24 races in 2006, including the last six races. Hamlin has been the highest finishing rookie in 13 of the 24 races this season. Hamlin has finished on the lead lap in the last 15 races. He has been running at the finish in the last 18 races. He has competed in one race at California Speedway scoring a 12th-place finish. Hamlin is just 21 points behind fifth-place Jeff Gordon and just 27 behind fourth-place Kyle Busch. Hamlin is 111 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

Seventh
Jeff Burton finished ninth in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and climbed from ninth to seventh in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings. Burton has posted 19 top-15 finishes in 2006. He has scored 14 top-10 finishes in 24 races this season. One year ago he ranked 19th in the point standings. Burton has competed in all 12 races at California Speedway scoring four top-10 finishes there. He finished 35th in this race one year ago, his worst finish and only DNF at California. He finished fifth at California in February. He has led in just two of his 12 races at California. Burton has an 18.0 average finish at California Speedway. He is just six points behind sixth-place Denny Hamlin. Burton is 97 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

Eighth
Tony Stewart finished 22nd in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, ending a streak of four straight top-10 finishes. He has scored 15 top-15 finishes of the season. Stewart dropped from fifth to eighth in the point standings. Stewart posted four finishes of 28th or worse in the five races leading to Pocono, dropping him from fourth to 11th before climbing back to 10th after Pocono, ninth after Indianapolis, seventh after Watkins Glen, fifth after Michigan and now dropping to eighth after Bristol. One year ago he ranked first in the point standings. He has competed in 10 races at California Speedway scoring four top-10 finishes. Stewart finished fifth in this race one year ago and 43rd there in February, his worst finish and second DNF at California. He has led in four of his 10 races there. He has an 18.7 finishing average at California Speedway. He trails seventh place Jeff Burton by just eight points and is 14 behind sixth-place Hamlin. Stewart is 97 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

Ninth
Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished third in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and climbed from 10th to ninth in the point standings. He has scored 17 top-15 finishes this season. Earnhardt Jr. has scored one victory in 2006, winning at Richmond. He has competed in nine races at California Speedway scoring two top- 10 finishes. He finished 38th in this race one year ago, posting his worst California finish and third DNF there. He finished 11th there in February, extending a streak of five straight finishes outside the top-10. Earnhardt has a 21.222 finishing average at California Speedway. He has led in just three of his nine races at California. Earnhardt Jr. is just two points ahead of 10th place Mark Martin and 92 ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.

10th
Mark Martin finished 28th in the 2006 Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway and dropped from fourth to 10th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings, the biggest drop among the top 10. At this point one year ago he ranked fifth in the point standings. He has had only one DNF (Talladega in October 2005) in the 49 races since Dover in June 2005. He has been running at the finish in the last 31 races. Martin has competed in all 12 races at California Speedway scoring one victory and six top-10 finishes there. His victory at California Speedway came there in 1998. He finished 11th in this race one year ago and ninth there in February. Martin has a 13.833 average finish at California Speedway. He has led in nine of his 12 races at California. Martin has not won a race since his victory at Kansas in October 2005, 31 races ago. Martin is 90 points ahead of 11th-place Kasey Kahne with two races left in the “Race to the Chase”.