“Seems it never rains in southern California… Seems I’ve often heard that kind of talk before… It never rains in California… But girl don’t they warn ya… It pours, man it pours” Albert Hammond.
Rain was a threat all day in Fontana and it hit as if on cue from Tony Stewart. However, he says it was a call to stay out and not a fake onto pit road that left Him out front when the rain did hit. Either way, the rain did come with Stewart leading when NASCAR officials red flagged and called the race giving the #14 a second win of the season.
Hamlin and Johnson left the top 10 of the field to pit while Stewart and the rest stayed out. This put them both back a bit to the 10-11 slots when the rain came. Apparently, there were gambles on both sides of the rain and as the dice tumbled it was the call to stay on track that shook out.
Kyle Busch, Dale Earmhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 5 for the Auto Club 400.
The teams, drivers and crews pack it all up and ship it back east… again… to Martinsville. Stewart took the win there last Fall to start a late season run to the Championship so he’ll be looking to repeat.
There has been unseasonably nice temparatures around Martinsville for the past couple of weeks so let’s hope it holds for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. Forecast temps in the 60’s should make for a good weekend at the famous paperclip shaped track.
Tickets, of course, are ready. Fan Zones with drivers like Gordon, Earnhardt, Jr., Harvick and Newman. Track Passes and Family Packages are available. NASCAR has been to Bristol and the gates are open for more traditional racing fun at Martinsville.
Stewart is ready… Are you?