Damage control is the goal in California
Damage control is the goal in California
It’s all about staying with Jimmie Johnson this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Barring a wreck or a mechanical failure, you’re not going to beat him – Johnson has won four of the last six races there. So stick with him, minimize the damage and head to Charlotte Motor Speedway where, surprisingly, Johnson has been vulnerable as of late.
Each Wednesday during the Chase, Yahoo! Sports breaks down the 12-driver field. This week, the Chase rolls into Auto Club Speedway for Race No. 4.
Each Wednesday during the Chase, Yahoo! Sports breaks down the 12-driver field. This week the Chase rolls into Kansas Speedway for Race No. 3 of the Chase.
Here is a look at how the field stacks up heading into Sunday’s Price Chopper 400:
He’s in the driver’s seat now. These next three races are when Johnson hits the accelerator and distances himself from the competition. That said, Charlotte will be interesting.
Last week’s result: 2nd
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 6 | 12 | 3 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 5.5 |
| Last time: | 1st |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Phoenix (4.9) Worst: Talladega (17.8) |
|
| Total avg.: 9.5 | |
Hamlin must – MUST – finish in the top five this weekend. Failing to do so will have him playing catch-up at tracks where Johnson is just better.
Last week’s result: 12th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 6 | 11 | 1 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 18.2 |
| Last time: | 29th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Martinsville (6.6) Worst: Talladega (19.3) |
|
| Total avg.: 13.5 | |
It’s all about staying with Johnson the next three weeks. Talladega is where Harvick will make his move. The question is, will he be within striking distance of Johnson?
Last week’s result: 3rd
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 3 | 13 | 2 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 17.7 |
| Last time: | 2nd |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Homestead-Miami (8.4) Worst: Charlotte (20.7) |
|
| Total avg.: 15.5 | |
Had a horrible time at Kansas but salvaged a top-10 finish. He must do better this weekend. Auto Club is one of his best tracks. If he doesn’t make a move now, it’s probably not coming.
Last week’s result: 6th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 0 | 7 | 2 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 7.2 |
| Last time: | 13th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Homestead-Miami (6.5) Worst: Talladega (22.5) |
|
| Total avg.: 13.9 | |
The deal hasn’t changed for Gordon, who is still in search of that one solid race from start to finish. Just like Edwards, it’s getting to the now-or-never point.
Last week’s result: 5th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 0 | 11 | 0 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 11.0 |
| Last time: | 20th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Martinsville (6.7) Worst: Talladega (16.7) |
|
| Total avg.: 12.2 | |
Can’t seem to gain any traction one way or the other. He’s good, he’s bad, he’s good again – which might be why he’s sixth in the 12-driver Chase.
Last week’s result: 13th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 2 | 9 | 2 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 12.2 |
| Last time: | 6th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: AUTO CLUB (12.2) Worst: Martinsville (21.6) |
|
| Total avg.: 16.1 | |
Expect an even harder-driving Kyle Busch this weekend. And that could lead to one of two things: a win or a trip to the infield car center following a wreck.
Last week’s result: 21st
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 3 | 8 | 2 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 10.8 |
| Last time: | 14th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Auto Club (10.8) Worst: Homestead-Miami (25.2) |
|
| Total avg.: 17.2 | |
He’s now won seven Chase races, second only to Johnson’s 19. The eighth could come this weekend – and it better because Martinsville is a brutal track for Biffle.
Last week’s result: 1st
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 2 | 6 | 0 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 16.8 |
| Last time: | 10th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Homestead (13.5) Worst: Martinsville (22.3) |
|
| Total avg.: 18.5 | |
He will be solid, but can he finish? It’s been a nightmare so far for Burton, who has been as good as everyone not named Johnson so far – only he doesn’t have the results to show for it.
Last week’s result: 18th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 0 | 6 | 0 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 16.7 |
| Last time: | 3rd |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Phoenix (11.4) Worst: Talladega (18.4) |
|
| Total avg.: 15.1 | |
Smoke has led more laps in the past five races than he did in the first 24 races combined. He’s probably not going to catch Johnson, but a top-five finish isn’t out of the question.
Last week’s result: 4th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 1 | 8 | 2 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 14.9 |
| Last time: | 9th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Phoenix (11.7) Worst: Auto Club (14.9) |
|
| Total avg.: 13.4 | |
Out of nowhere, Kenseth is showing signs of life. It’s too late for 2010, but it’s a good sign going forward. The next seven weeks are all about setting him up for 2011.
Last week’s result: 7th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 0 | 5 | 0 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 22.1 |
| Last time: | 39th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Auto Club (9.1) Worst: Homestead (19.8) |
|
| Total avg.: 15.3 | |
Well, it’s officially over now that his final appeal came up short. Bowyer now becomes a cheerleader, but one who will be a threat at Auto Club.
Last week’s result: 15th
| 2010 STATS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wins | Top 5s | Poles |
| 1 | 5 | 0 |
| CAREER AT AUTO CLUB |
|
|---|---|
| Avg. finish: | 12.0 |
| Last time: | 8th |
| REMAINING TRACKS | |
|---|---|
| Best: Auto Club (12.0) Worst: Talladega (21.4) |
|
| Total avg.: 15.8 | |
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