By John Schutt –
Monster Energy Auto Club 400, Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, Calif., Sunday, March 18.
The champion is back: Martin Truex, Jr. swept the pole position qualifier and all three stages at Autoclub Speedway! Truex, Jr. was followed by runner-up Kyle Larson in second place, Kyle Busch in third place, Brad Keselowski in fourth, and Joey Logano in fifth.
Only 37 racers started in this Nascar event which normally has 40. The favored-to-win was Kevin Harvick, who won the last three races this year. However, Harvick ran into trouble on lap 22 when he was attempting to side-draft Larson and it appeared as if Larson ran Harvick’s car up into the wall. But on the replay it was clear that Harvick lost control and he came down on Larson and then ran up into the wall. Kevin Harvick finished out of the top 20 with no points gained.
All four Hendrick driver’s cars failed pre-race inspection, however, Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson got his first top 10 finish this year and finished in ninth place.
Chase Elliot, who was favored to win, did not qualify because of issues with his car in pre-race inspection and started in the back of the field.
It was Truex, Jr.’s first victory at Fontana where he led 125 laps and he finished 11 seconds ahead of second place Larson.
• Logano won Saturday’s Xfinity race at the Autoclub speedway.
Monster Energy Ticket Guardian 500, ISM Raceway (formerly the Phoenix Raceway), Avondale, Ariz., Sunday, March 11.
Harvick won his third straight Nascar race of the season! Following Harvick was Kyle Busch in second place, Chase Elliot in third, Denny Hamlin in fourth, and Truex, Jr. in fifth.
The first stage was lead by Truex, Jr. until Larson took the lead. Larson lost the lead when Kyle Busch got out in front and won Stage 1.
The second stage was won with a one-lap shoot-out at the end with Kurt Busch taking the victory.
The final segment was a challenge between three newby drivers William Bryon, Denny Hamlin, and Harvick. However it was Harvick first across the finish line for his third straight Monster Energy Nascar race of the year.
Kyle Busch led the most laps, but finished in second place.
Harvick had some controversy when his car failed pre-race inspection because there was an issue with the rear-window brace.