This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will move west for the 18th annual Auto Club 500 for the fifth race of the new 2014 season. This will be the one and only stop for the tour in 2014 at the speedway.
Entry list:
The entry list currently features a total of 43 drivers and will mean no one will be going home after qualifying. Two drivers, J.J. Yeley and Dave Blaney, have both been withdrawn from the race. Qualifying will be held Friday Friday evening at 7:40 p.m. Et., on Fox Sports 1.
Storylines:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not have a great run at the Bristol Motor Speedway and will try to turn around that bad finish last weekend. Earnhardt Jr. left Bristol without the points lead after finishing a disappointing 24th. Besides last weekend, Earnhardt Jr. hopes to finish inside the top-two for his fourth time of 2014 and also hopes to leave Auto Club Speedway with the points lead once again. He currently sits second in the standings with 10 points behind Brad Keselowski.
Going into this weekend, Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson both battle each other for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. Dillon leads Larson by only six points leaving Bristol. Larson has been on Dillon’s trail, shrinking the lead the last several races, and hopes to pass Dillon this weekend.
Nine drivers looks to grab a great finish this weekend as Auto Club Speedway is they’re home track. Those drivers to watch out for this weekend are, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, AJ Allmendinger, Kyle Larson, Casey Mears, David Gilliland, Cole Whitt, Kevin Harvick and Josh Wise.
Travis Kvapil will be making two milestones this weekend as he will be making his 250 Sprint Cup Series start. Not only will this be his 250th start in the series, but also his 400th NASCAR national Series start.
Where to watch:
You can catch this weekend’s race on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Et, live on Fox. The Motor Racing Network will carry the live radio broadcast of the Auto Club 400. You can listen on many radio stations around the country, TuneIn App, MRN.com or on AudioNow by dialing 1-832-999-1717 on your mobile phone.
About Me: Brett has been following the sport of NASCAR since the beginning of the 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Since Brett was 13, he has had a passion of chasing a job in sports that not many get the opportunity of doing. He has been in the NASCAR media since the middle of the 2010 season. Since then, he has been a part of many racing podcast shows to improve his talents. He has written for racingonfuel.com and theracingwheel.com. Currently, Brett writes for motorsportsnat.com and TracksideChatter.com. You can find him on twitter @NASCAR_Brett.
- NCTS: Eckes Scores Second Victory of 2024 at Martinsville - April 5, 2024
- NWMT: Justin Bonsignore Noses Ron Silk for 41st Career Victory at Richmond - March 29, 2024
- NCS: William Byron Scores EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Victory in Austin - March 24, 2024