Auto Club 500 Gets People Talking...

Controversy. Discussion. Change. These are things that come as a result of every race weekend. After Daytona the controversy was the pothole, the discussion was the race winner, and the change was the green-white-checkered rule. The race weekend at Auto Club Speedway was no different in that there was no shortage of things to talk about. The controversy: Jimmie Johnson’s pit road fortunes. The discussion: Richard Childress Racing’s comeback. The change: Well, it hasn’t happened yet. But many are considering the low attendance during Sunday’s race to be the final straw in ACS losing a race date, possibly to Kansas Speedway. Oh what a tangled web we weave.

With 26 lead changes among 13 different leaders, and several other good battles on the racetrack, many NASCAR experts are considering this one of the best races ACS has ever had. While some fans are in agreement with them, others are wondering what race they were watching and why they weren’t seeing the same thing.

“The Fontana race on Sunday was a well raced, safe, uneventful race,” said Douglas Kimpel, 43, of Fond du Lac, WI. “That being said, it was also about the most boring race in the history of NASCAR.”

While many fans are already calling for ACS to lose a date, or at least shorten their spring race, Aaron Rosser, 23, of Calhoun, GA is quick to point out that Fontana is no Daytona.

“People have to understand that over the course of a 500 mile race on a 2-mile track, the cars are going to get spread out,” he said. “The great thing was that as the green flag runs progressed, you could see a switch in whose car was strongest, which made it entertaining. That’s when long green flag runs are fun.”

So, whether the racing was exciting or not in the Cup race depends on who you ask. However, almost every fan seems to be in agreement that the NASCAR Nationwide Series race put on a great show, at least in the last few laps. Though Joey Logano led most of the laps, a late race charge by Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, and Brad Keselowski was enough to keep race fans on the edges of their seats until the checkered flag flew.

Fred, 27, of Vineland, NJ said “The finish of the Busch race was the best part of the weekend,” and Kimberly Kopke, 42, of Nazareth, PA said “I have to give props to the Nationwide race over the Sprint Cup.”

So why was the Nationwide race so much more enjoyable than the Cup race? After all, up until the end, the Cup race had much more competition, more battles for the lead, and more potential winners. What made that race so special?

According to Joe Daley, 31, of Douglass, KS, “Throughout the majority of the race, there was a bunch of racing action going on.”

So, whether or not you enjoyed the Cup race, the Nationwide Series race, or are just happy that we’re leaving Fontana I hope you still got some enjoyment out of the weekend. Now we’re onto Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and who knows what will happen there! One thing is for sure… what happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas. Until then, we’ll see you Next Time By!

Summer Dreyer - ARN Writer

Photo Credit: Gary Zabransky ARN - Reporter