THE RACE: 2007 STATER BROS. 300 – CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY

Busch Series Race #2 of 35 for the 2007 season


  • Race: 7:30pm/et, Saturday, February 24, 2007 in Fontana, CA
  • Length: 150 Laps, 300 miles
  • TV: ESPN2 – 7:00pm/et
  • Radio: MRN
  • Purse: $1,626,139
  • Announcers: Jerry Punch, Rusty Wallace, Andy Petree
  • Pit Reporters: Allen Bestwick, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Mike Massaro

    Practice Dates/Times

  • Practice: Friday, February 23, 11:00am-12:15pm/et and 1:20pm-2:20pm/et. Rookie Practice: 12:30-1:00pm/et.

    Qualifying Info

  • Qualifying Draw: Friday, February 23, 10:00am/et
  • Qualifying Time: Saturday, February 24, 3:10pm/et
  • Qualifying: 2 laps for all positions, cars will be impounded.
  • NASCAR Online will have live lap-by-lap coverage of Busch qualifying via the web (NOTE: this is a paid subscription service). TheHotLap.com has free qualifying coverage.

    ENTRY, PRACTICE, QUALIFYING, AND RACE INFORMATION

  • Kenseth Wins at California: #17-Matt Kenseth led 48 laps at California to win the Stater Bros. 300. He held off a late charge by #24-Casey Mears to capture his 22nd Busch Series win in his 200th series start. #5-Kyle Busch was third, #60-Carl Edwards fourth, and #16-Greg Biffle fifth. The rest of the top ten were #33-Kevin Harvick, #29-Jeff Burton, #20-Denny Hamlin, #4-Regan Smith, and #10-Dave Blaney. There were 8 cautions (which tied the record for this race) for 33 laps.(2-24-2007)
    NASCAR Race Number 2
    Unofficial Race Results for the Stater Bros. “300 – Saturday, February 24, 2007
    California Speedway – Fontana, CA – 2 Mile Paved
    Total Race Length – 150 Laps – 300 Miles – Purse: $1,626,139

    Fin Str Car Driver Team Laps Pts Total Award Status
    1 2 17 Matt Kenseth Dish Network Ford 150 195 $82,500 Running
    2 5 24 Casey Mears National Guard/40th Infantry Division 150 170 $60,400 Running
    3 7 5 Kyle Busch Hendrick Autoguard Chevy 150 170 $49,400 Running
    4 40 60 Carl Edwards World Financial Group Ford 150 160 $44,025 Running
    5 11 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 150 155 $34,225 Running
    6 6 33 Kevin Harvick RoadLoans.com Chevy 150 155 $32,600 Running
    7 3 29 Jeff Burton Holiday Inn Chevy 150 151 $35,250 Running
    8 4 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevy 150 142 $32,600 Running
    9 22 4 Regan Smith Ginn Resorts Chevy 150 138 $42,805 Running
    10 1 10 Dave Blaney ABF U- Pack Toyota 150 139 $32,625 Running
    11 23 18 Tony Stewart Z-Line Designs Chevy 150 130 $25,650 Running
    12 9 22 David Stremme SuperCuts Dodge 150 127 $25,525 Running
    13 19 87 Joe Nemechek brunton vineyards/swig Chevy 150 124 $26,025 Running
    14 15 99 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 150 121 $36,590 Running
    15 17 37 Jamie McMurray Yard-Man Ford 150 118 $26,005 Running
    16 10 9 Scott Riggs Wisk Dodge 150 115 $30,420 Running
    17 28 21 Timothy Peters # AutoZone Chevy 150 112 $33,110 Running
    18 12 6 David Ragan # America’s Tire Ford 150 109 $26,475 Running
    19 14 28 Jeff Green DaytonaBrands.com Chevy 150 106 $24,365 Running
    20 25 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 150 103 $35,755 Running
    21 24 88 Shane Huffman U.S. NAVY Chevy 150 100 $26,145 Running
    22 8 66 Steve Wallace Homelife Communities Dodge 150 97 $26,160 Running
    23 35 1 J.J. Yeley Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 150 94 $24,300 Running
    24 34 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 150 96 $35,590 Running
    25 41 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Bush’s Ford 150 88 $25,780 Running
    26 27 25 Kenny Wallace freecreditreport.com Ford 150 85 $32,045 Running
    27 31 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 150 87 $25,385 Running
    28 13 34 Jay Sauter Del Taco Restaurants Chevy 150 79 $25,265 Running
    29 32 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. McDonald’s Ford 150 76 $25,140 Running
    30 33 77 Kertus Davis Dollar General Chevy 150 73 $25,280 Running
    31 18 47 Jon Wood Clorox/American Red Cross Ford 149 70 $31,645 Running
    32 37 23 Brad Keselowski # Oklahoma Centennial Chevy 149 67 $24,810 Running
    33 36 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Clabber Girl Ford 147 64 $24,700 Running
    34 21 27 Ward Burton Cottonelle/Stater Bros. Ford 137 61 $24,590 Running
    35 16 12 Sam Hornish Jr. # Mobil 1 Dodge 132 58 $29,980 Accident
    36 20 41 Reed Sorenson Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 126 55 $22,370 Running
    37 26 15 Paul Menard Menards/Quaker State Chevy 122 52 $36,285 Engine
    38 30 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 87 49 $30,675 Accident
    39 29 42 Juan Pablo Montoya # Texaco/Havoline Dodge 87 46 $24,115 Accident
    40 39 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 64 43 $24,080 Running
    41 38 01 Morgan Shepherd Chevy 18 40 $24,020 Overheating
    Race Comments: Before an estimated crowd of 37,000 – Matt Kenseth won the Stater Bros. 300, posting his 22nd career NASCAR Busch Series victory. Before the green flag the following drivers dropped to the rear for the reasons indicated: #60 Edwards (unapproved impound adjustment); #66 Wallace (unapproved impound adjustment); #0 McClure (unapproved impound adjustment); #59 Ambrose (backup car).
    Failed to Qualify: N/A
    Time of Race: 02 Hrs, 20 Mins, 46 Secs.
    Average Speed: 127.871 MPH
    Margin of Victory: 0.484 Seconds
    Caution Flags: 8 for 33 laps: Laps: 4-6(#0,77 spun turn 2); 28-31(Debris); 58-62(#0 accident turn 4); 74-78(#66 accident turn 2); 89-94(#38,42 accident frontstretch); 96-98(#35 spun turn 1); 123-126(Oil on track.); 133-135(#12 accident turn 2).
    Lead Changes: 13 among 7 drivers: D. Blaney 1-16; J. Burton 17-28; M. Wallace 29; J. Burton 30-31; K. Busch 32-58; J. Burton 59-63; M. Kenseth 64; J. Burton 65-66; M. Kenseth 67-91; K. Harvick 92-102; J. Burton 103-123; B. Sherman 124; J. Burton 125-128; M. Kenseth 129-150.
    Top 10 Driver Points: (1) K. Harvick 345;(2) C. Edwards 330;(3) M. Kenseth 327;(4) D. Blaney 309;(5) G. Biffle 289;(6) D. Hamlin 280;(7) T. Stewart 272;(8) K. Busch 232;(9) R. Smith 223;(10) M. Ambrose 203.
    Busch Pole Award Dave Blaney, #10 (180.410 mph)
    Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive Through David Ragan, #4
    Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award David Ragan, #4 (13 Places)
    Mobil1 Command Performance Driver of the Race David Ragan, #4
    Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award David Ragan, #4
    Sunoco Diamond Performance Matt Kenseth, #17
    Wix Filters Lap Leader Award Mike Wallace, #7 (1 Lap)
    Next Race: Mar. 4, 2007 – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

  • Harvick’s Point Lead now at 15: Kevin Harvick continues to lead the Busch Series points. His lead is now 15 over Carl Edwards. Matt Kenseth moves into third with his California win. Dave Blaney is fourth and Greg Biffle is fifth.(2-24-2007)
    Points Report
    California Speedway
    Stater Bros. 300
    UNOFFICAL
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics- Saturday, 2/24/2007 @ 8:16 PM Pacific

    Pos Driver BPts Points Ldr Nxt Starts Pole Wins T5s T10 Money Won PPos G/L
    1 Kevin Harvick 10 345 0 0 2 0 1 1 2 $148,800 1 0
    2 Carl Edwards 5 330 -15 -15 2 0 0 2 2 $121,475 3 1
    3 Matt Kenseth 15 327 -18 -3 2 0 1 1 1 $134,325 11 8
    4 Dave Blaney 5 309 -36 -18 2 0 0 1 2 $123,175 2 -2
    5 Greg Biffle 0 289 -56 -20 2 0 0 1 2 $83,250 10 5
    6 Denny Hamlin 0 280 -65 -9 2 0 0 0 2 $86,850 9 3
    7 Tony Stewart 0 272 -73 -8 2 0 0 0 1 $75,950 8 1
    8 Kyle Busch 15 232 -113 -40 2 0 0 1 1 $91,925 34 26
    9 Regan Smith 0 223 -122 -9 2 0 0 0 1 $91,550 26 17
    10 Marcos Ambrose 0 203 -142 -20 2 0 0 0 0 $73,730 16 6
    11 David Reutimann 0 197 -148 -6 2 0 0 0 0 $87,060 29 18
    12 Mike Wallace 10 195 -150 -2 2 0 0 0 0 $87,085 23 11
    13 Brent Sherman 10 192 -153 -3 2 0 0 0 0 $73,585 20 7
    14 Jon Wood 0 188 -157 -4 2 0 0 0 0 $89,040 15 1
    15 Joe Nemechek 0 185 -160 -3 2 0 0 0 0 $68,825 35 20
    16 Casey Mears 0 170 -175 -15 1 0 0 1 1 $60,400 0 40
    17 Steve Wallace 0 170 -175 0 2 0 0 0 0 $71,535 30 13
    18 Stephen Leicht 0 167 -178 -3 2 0 0 0 0 $85,825 33 15
    19 Bobby Hamilton, Jr 0 167 -178 0 2 0 0 0 0 $70,915 24 5
    20 Clint Bowyer 5 165 -180 -2 1 0 0 1 1 $62,550 4 -16
    21 Paul Menard 0 164 -181 -1 2 0 0 0 0 $89,205 17 -4
    22 Mark Martin 0 155 -190 -9 1 0 0 1 1 $58,000 5 -17
    23 Martin Truex, Jr 5 155 -190 0 1 0 0 0 1 $53,450 6 -17
    24 Jamie Mcmurray 0 155 -190 0 2 0 0 0 0 $68,280 42 18
    25 Shane Huffman 0 155 -190 0 2 0 0 0 0 $70,720 37 12
    26 Dale Earnhardt, Jr 5 151 -194 -4 1 0 0 0 1 $56,575 7 -19
    27 Jeff Burton 5 151 -194 0 1 0 0 0 1 $35,250 0 29
    28 Jason Leffler 5 151 -194 0 2 0 0 0 0 $84,520 22 -6
    29 Kyle Krisiloff 0 146 -199 -5 2 0 0 0 0 $70,125 27 -2
    30 David Ragan 0 143 -202 -3 2 0 0 0 0 $70,672 43 13
    31 Robby Gordon 0 130 -215 -13 1 0 0 0 0 $47,300 12 -19
    32 Sam Hornish 0 128 -217 -2 2 0 0 0 0 $80,455 31 -1
    33 Ward Burton 0 128 -217 0 2 0 0 0 0 $69,690 32 -1
    34 David Stremme 0 127 -218 -1 1 0 0 0 0 $25,525 0 22
    35 Scott Wimmer 0 124 -221 -3 1 0 0 0 0 $62,965 13 -22
    36 Todd Kluever 0 121 -224 -3 1 0 0 0 0 $55,770 14 -22
    37 Scott Riggs 0 115 -230 -6 1 0 0 0 0 $30,420 0 19
    38 Timothy Peters 0 112 -233 -3 1 0 0 0 0 $33,110 0 18
    39 Bobby Labonte 0 109 -236 -3 1 0 0 0 0 $44,875 18 -21
    40 Aric Almirola 0 106 -239 -3 1 1 0 0 0 $51,950 19 -21
    41 Jeff Green 0 106 -239 0 1 0 0 0 0 $24,365 0 15
    42 Reed Sorenson 0 104 -241 -2 2 0 0 0 0 $64,845 38 -4
    43 David Gilliland 0 103 -242 -1 1 0 0 0 0 $47,300 21 -22
    44 Eric Mcclure 0 101 -244 -2 2 0 0 0 0 $68,730 36 -8
    45 J J Yeley 0 94 -251 -7 1 0 0 0 0 $24,300 0 11
    46 Juan Pablo Montoya 0 89 -256 -5 2 0 0 0 0 $68,490 40 -6
    47 Steve Grissom 0 88 -257 -1 1 0 0 0 0 $45,800 25 -22
    48 Kenny Wallace 0 85 -260 -3 1 0 0 0 0 $32,045 0 8
    49 Robert Richardson 0 79 -266 -6 1 0 0 0 0 $45,350 28 -21
    50 Jay Sauter 0 79 -266 0 1 0 0 0 0 $25,265 0 6
    51 Kertus Davis 0 73 -272 -6 1 0 0 0 0 $25,280 0 5
    52 Brad Keselowski 0 67 -278 -6 1 0 0 0 0 $24,810 0 4
    53 John Andretti 0 46 -299 -21 1 0 0 0 0 $49,645 39 -14
    54 Kasey Kahne 0 40 -305 -6 1 0 0 0 0 $47,825 41 -13
    55 Morgan Shepherd 0 40 -305 0 1 0 0 0 0 $24,020 0 1

    BPts – Bonus Points, -Ldr/-Nxt = Points behind Leader/Next higher, PPos= Previous Position, G/L = Points standing gain/loss


    Owner Points
    Following Race # 2
    California Speedway Stater Bros. 300
    UNOFFICIAL

    Pos Owner Car# Points Ldr Nxt PPos G/L
    1 Jack Roush 60 330 3 -2
    2 Jack Roush 17 327 -3 -3 11 -9
    3 Richard Childress 21 302 -28 -25 1 2
    4 Delana Harvick 33 297 -33 -5 8 -4
    5 Joe Gibbs 20 280 -50 -17 9 -4
    6 Jack Roush 16 276 -54 -4 14 -8
    7 Richard Childress 29 275 -55 -1 13 -6
    8 Joe Gibbs 18 236 -94 -39 19 -11
    9 Rick Hendrick 5 232 -98 -4 34 -25
    10 Bobby Ginn 4 223 -107 -9 26 -16
    11 Tad Geschickter 59 203 -127 -20 16 -5
    12 Rick Hendrick 24 201 -129 -2 44 -32
    13 Michael Waltrip 99 197 -133 -4 29 -16
    14 James Finch 7 195 -135 -2 23 -9
    15 John Mcgill 36 192 -138 -3 20 -5
    16 Edward Rensi 25 188 -142 -4 21 -5
    17 Jodi Geschickter 47 188 -142 0 15 2
    18 Gregory Pollex 10 185 -145 -3 39 -21
    19 Gene Haas 28 185 -145 0 28 -9
    20 Andrea Nemechek 87 185 -145 0 35 -15
    21 Delana Harvick 77 182 -148 -3 18 3
    22 Todd Braun 32 170 -160 -12 2 20
    23 Rusty Wallace 66 170 -160 0 30 -7
    24 Frank Cicci 34 167 -163 -3 25 -1
    25 Gary Weisbaum 35 167 -163 0 24 1
    26 Robert Yates 90 167 -163 0 33 -7
    27 Richard Childress 2 165 -165 -2 4 23
    28 Teresa Earnhardt 15 164 -166 -1 17 11
    29 Ray Evernham 9 155 -175 -9 41 -12
    30 Armando Fitz 22 155 -175 0 45 -15
    31 Clarence Brewer 37 155 -175 0 42 -11
    32 Dale Earnhardt, Jr 88 155 -175 0 37 -5
    33 Jack Roush 106 155 -175 0 6 27
    34 Teresa Earnhardt 111 155 -175 0 5 29
    35 Teresa Earnhardt 8 151 -179 -4 7 28
    36 Todd Braun 38 151 -179 0 22 14
    37 Gregory Pollex 14 146 -184 -5 27 10
    38 Jack Roush 6 143 -187 -3 43 -5
    39 Jack Roush 126 134 -196 -9 10 29
    40 Robby Gordon 155 130 -200 -4 12 28
    41 Roger Penske 12 128 -202 -2 31 10
    42 Tammy Brewer 27 128 -202 0 32 10
    43 James Finch 1 116 -214 -12 47 -4
    44 Chip Ganassi 41 104 -226 -12 38 6
    45 Keith Duesenberg 0 101 -229 -3 36 9
    46 Floyd Ganassi 42 89 -241 -12 40 6
    47 Keith Coleman 23 86 -244 -3 48 -1

  • Blaney On Pole for Stater Bros. 300: #10-Dave Blaney grabbed Toyota’s first Busch Series pole Saturday afternoon. His top speed was 180.410mph. #17-Matt Kenseth will line up outside of row 1 tonight. Row two will be #29-Jeff Burton and #20-Denny Hamlin. Row 3 will be #24-Casey Mears and #33-Kevin Harvick. There were 2 incidents during the session. First, #60-Carl Edwards spun out on his first lap, but did not hit anything. Second, #59-Marcos Ambrose spun on his warmup lap and did make contact with the wall. He will have to go to a backup. There are only 41 cars at the track so there were no DNQs.(2-24-2007)
    Starting Line Up by Row
    California Speedway
    Stater Bros. 300
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Sat, February 24, 2007 @ 02:00 PM Pacific

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed
    1 10 Dave Blaney ABF U- Pack Toyota 39.909 180.410
    2 17 Matt Kenseth Dish Network Ford 39.970 180.135
    3 29 Jeff Burton Holiday Inn Chevy 40.004 179.982
    4 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevy 40.069 179.690
    5 24 Casey Mears National Guard/40th Infantry Division 40.198 179.113
    6 33 Kevin Harvick RoadLoans.com Chevy 40.243 178.913
    7 5 Kyle Busch Hendrick Autoguard Chevy 40.253 178.869
    8 66 Steve Wallace Homelife Communities Dodge 40.297 178.673
    9 22 David Stremme SuperCuts Dodge 40.337 178.496
    10 9 Scott Riggs Wisk Dodge 40.349 178.443
    11 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 40.349 178.443
    12 6 David Ragan # America’s Tire Ford 40.529 177.651
    13 34 Jay Sauter Amsoil Chevy 40.538 177.611
    14 28 Jeff Green DaytonaBrands.com Chevy 40.541 177.598
    15 99 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 40.570 177.471
    16 12 Sam Hornish Jr. # Mobil 1 Dodge 40.601 177.336
    17 37 Jamie McMurray Yard-Man Ford 40.636 177.183
    18 47 Jon Wood Clorox/American Red Cross Ford 40.676 177.009
    19 87 Joe Nemechek brunton vineyards/swig Chevy 40.689 176.952
    20 41 Reed Sorenson Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 40.725 176.796
    21 27 Ward Burton Cottonelle/Stater Bros. Ford 40.727 176.787
    22 4 Regan Smith Ginn Resorts Chevy 40.730 176.774
    23 18 Tony Stewart Z-Line Designs Chevy 40.736 176.748
    24 88 Shane Huffman U.S. NAVY Chevy 40.773 176.587
    25 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 40.794 176.497
    26 15 Paul Menard Menards/Quaker State Chevy 40.797 176.484
    27 25 Kenny Wallace freecreditreport.com Ford 40.807 176.440
    28 21 Timothy Peters # AutoZone Chevy 40.887 176.095
    29 42 Juan Pablo Montoya # Texaco/Havoline Dodge 40.944 175.850
    30 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 40.987 175.665
    31 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 40.993 175.640
    32 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. McDonald’s Ford 41.034 175.464
    33 77 Kertus Davis Dollar General Chevy 41.107 175.153
    34 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 41.169 174.889
    35 1 J.J. Yeley Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 41.272 174.452
    36 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Clabber Girl Ford 41.450 173.703
    37 23 Brad Keselowski # Oklahoma Centennial Chevy 41.578 173.169
    38 01 Morgan Shepherd Chevy 42.046 171.241
    39 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 42.813 168.173
    40 60 Carl Edwards World Financial Group Ford 0.000 0.000
    41 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Bush’s Ford 0.000 0.000

    Did Not Qualify: None


  • Kenseth Fastest in Happy Hour: #17-Matt Kenseth topped the speed charts in Happy Hour at California Speedway. His top speed was 180.252mph. #20-Denny Hamlin was second. #29-Jeff Burton was third, #22-David Stremme fourth, and #26-Greg Biffle fifth. #01-Morgan Shepherd was the only driver to not make a lap.(2-23-2007)
    NBS Final Practice (HAPPY HOUR)
    California Speedway
    Stater Bros. 300
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Fri, February 23, 2007 @ 11:27 AM Pacific

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed # Laps
    1 *17 Matt Kenseth Dish Network Ford 39.944 180.252 16
    2 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevy 40.148 179.336 27
    3 29 Jeff Burton Holiday Inn Chevy 40.194 179.131 29
    4 *22 David Stremme SuperCuts Dodge 40.331 178.523 15
    5 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 40.338 178.492 25
    6 10 Dave Blaney ABF U- Pack Toyota 40.343 178.470 17
    7 *24 Casey Mears National Guard/40th Infantry Division 40.401 178.213 16
    8 5 Kyle Busch Hendrick Autoguard Chevy 40.426 178.103 13
    9 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 40.449 178.002 26
    10 99 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 40.454 177.980 15
    11 *12 Sam Hornish Jr. # Mobil 1 Dodge 40.483 177.852 20
    12 18 Tony Stewart Z-Line Designs Chevy 40.506 177.751 18
    13 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Bush’s Ford 40.516 177.708 20
    14 6 David Ragan # America’s Tire Ford 40.524 177.672 19
    15 9 Scott Riggs Wisk Dodge 40.558 177.524 14
    16 88 Shane Huffman U.S. NAVY Chevy 40.577 177.440 21
    17 77 Kertus Davis Dollar General Chevy 40.581 177.423 17
    18 66 Steve Wallace Homelife Communities Dodge 40.597 177.353 16
    19 25 David Gilliland freecreditreport.com Ford 40.603 177.327 6
    20 *34 Jay Sauter Amsoil Chevy 40.611 177.292 13
    21 33 Kevin Harvick RoadLoans.com Chevy 40.615 177.274 24
    22 60 Carl Edwards World Financial Group Ford 40.626 177.226 15
    23 *1 J.J. Yeley Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 40.636 177.183 9
    24 47 Jon Wood Clorox/American Red Cross Ford 40.683 176.978 19
    25 *4 Regan Smith Ginn Resorts Chevy 40.733 176.761 17
    26 *87 Joe Nemechek brunton vineyards/swig Chevy 40.755 176.665 20
    27 37 Jamie McMurray Yard-Man Ford 40.821 176.380 24
    28 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 40.838 176.306 21
    29 21 Timothy Peters # AutoZone Chevy 40.849 176.259 13
    30 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. McDonald’s Ford 40.880 176.125 8
    31 15 Paul Menard Menards/Quaker State Chevy 40.902 176.031 23
    32 41 Reed Sorenson Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 40.939 175.871 9
    33 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 40.964 175.764 12
    34 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 40.983 175.683 10
    35 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Clabber Girl Ford 41.022 175.516 20
    36 *42 Juan Pablo Montoya # Texaco/Havoline Dodge 41.181 174.838 25
    37 28 Jeff Green DaytonaBrands.com Chevy 41.286 174.393 11
    38 *23 Brad Keselowski # Oklahoma Centennial Chevy 41.429 173.791 2
    39 27 Ward Burton Cottonelle/Stater Bros. Ford 41.534 173.352 9
    40 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 42.246 170.430 8
    41 *01 Morgan Shepherd Chevy 0.000 0.000 0

    *Required to qualify on time

  • Harvick Leads California Practice: #33-Kevin Harvick led Friday morning’s delayed practice session with a top speed of 181.442mph. #29-Jeff Burton was second, #17-Matt Kenseth third, #60-Carl Edwards fourth, and #38-Jason Leffler fifth. Jay Sauter is in the #34 for Frank Cicci. The session started about an hour late because of rain overnight. There are 41 cars at the track.(2-23-2007)
    NBS Practice 1
    California Speedway
    Stater Bros. 300
    Provided by NASCAR Statistics – Fri, February 23, 2007 @ 10:02 AM Pacific

    Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed # Laps
    1 33 Kevin Harvick RoadLoans.com Chevy 39.682 181.442 12
    2 29 Jeff Burton Holiday Inn Chevy 39.944 180.252 7
    3 *17 Matt Kenseth Dish Network Ford 39.995 180.023 21
    4 60 Carl Edwards World Financial Group Ford 40.003 179.987 14
    5 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota 40.053 179.762 6
    6 5 Kyle Busch Hendrick Autoguard Chevy 40.091 179.591 10
    7 *87 Joe Nemechek brunton vineyards/swig Chevy 40.092 179.587 15
    8 *24 Casey Mears National Guard/40th Infantry Division 40.128 179.426 22
    9 10 Dave Blaney ABF U- Pack Toyota 40.183 179.180 11
    10 99 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 40.261 178.833 13
    11 20 Denny Hamlin Rockwell Automation Chevy 40.263 178.824 9
    12 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 40.280 178.749 15
    13 18 Tony Stewart Z-Line Designs Chevy 40.369 178.355 16
    14 *1 J.J. Yeley Miccosukee Resorts Chevy 40.375 178.328 20
    15 88 Shane Huffman U.S. NAVY Chevy 40.379 178.311 16
    16 77 Kertus Davis Dollar General Chevy 40.412 178.165 9
    17 *22 David Stremme SuperCuts Dodge 40.438 178.050 17
    18 9 Scott Riggs Wisk Dodge 40.442 178.033 16
    19 *12 Sam Hornish Jr. # Mobil 1 Dodge 40.455 177.976 24
    20 41 Reed Sorenson Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge 40.472 177.901 15
    21 21 Timothy Peters # AutoZone Chevy 40.509 177.738 12
    22 6 David Ragan # America’s Tire Ford 40.526 177.664 18
    23 47 Jon Wood Clorox/American Red Cross Ford 40.541 177.598 18
    24 35 Bobby Hamilton Jr. McDonald’s Ford 40.562 177.506 11
    25 37 Jamie McMurray Yard-Man Ford 40.571 177.467 20
    26 66 Steve Wallace Homelife Communities Dodge 40.574 177.454 8
    27 *42 Juan Pablo Montoya # Texaco/Havoline Dodge 40.584 177.410 14
    28 14 Kyle Krisiloff # Clabber Girl Ford 40.591 177.379 18
    29 7 Mike Wallace GEICO Chevy 40.627 177.222 11
    30 15 Paul Menard Menards/Quaker State Chevy 40.674 177.017 15
    31 27 Ward Burton Cottonelle/Stater Bros. Ford 40.706 176.878 10
    32 28 Jeff Green DaytonaBrands.com Chevy 40.717 176.830 13
    33 25 David Gilliland freecreditreport.com Ford 40.761 176.639 7
    34 59 Marcos Ambrose # Kingsford/Bush’s Ford 40.773 176.587 16
    35 *4 Regan Smith Ginn Resorts Chevy 40.811 176.423 15
    36 *34 Jay Sauter Amsoil Chevy 40.863 176.199 11
    37 *23 Brad Keselowski # Oklahoma Centennial Chevy 40.941 175.863 8
    38 90 Stephen Leicht citifinancial Ford 41.049 175.400 13
    39 36 Brent Sherman BIG LOTS Chevy 41.135 175.033 12
    40 0 Eric McClure Hefty Chevy 42.764 168.366 8
    41 *01 Morgan Shepherd Chevy 68.991 104.361 1

    *Required to qualify on time


  • Stater Bros. 300 Entry List: There are just 41 cars entered in this weekend’s Calfornia race.(2-19-2007)
    Items of Interest: Dave Blaney is in the #10 for Braun Racing, while Chad Blount is in the #32. John Andretti is not entered. Tony Stewart is in the #18 for Joe Gibbs. Jeff Green is entered in the #28. The driver of the #34 is again listed at Steve Grissom. Kertus Davis make his first appearance in the #77.
    UPDATE: Braun Racing confirmed the team would not run its #32 Toyota this weekend. Dave Blaney drove the #32 last Saturday but is moving to the #10 for California. John Andretti, who drove the #10 at Daytona, is not entered at California. Chad Blount was originally listed as the driver of the #32, but Braun is not running that car at California.(SceneDaily.com)(2-21-2007)
    UPDATE 2: Morgan Shepherd will drive a second Davis Motorsports entry in Saturday’s Busch Series race at California, Faith Motorsports announced. The car number, sponsor name or details are not yet available.(Faith Motorsports)(2-22-2007)

    NASCAR Busch Series
    Stater Bros. 300
    Entry List
    California Speedway

    *Required to qualify on time

      Car Driver Hometown Team Owner
    1 0 Eric McClure Chilhowie, VA Hefty Chevy Keith Duesenberger
    2 1 J.J. Yeley* Phoenix, AZ Miccosukee Resort Chevy James Finch
    3 4 Regan Smith* Cato, NY Ginn Resorts Chevy Bobby Ginn
    4 5 Kyle Busch Las Vegas, NV Hendrick Autoguard Chevy Rick Hendrick
    5 6 David Ragan Unadilla, GA Discount Tire Ford Jack Roush
    6 7 Mike Wallace St. Louis, MO GEICO Chevy James Finch
    7 9 Scott Riggs Bahama, NC Wisk Dodge Ray Evernham
    8 10 Dave Blaney Hartford, OH ABF Upack Moving Toyota Greg Pollex
    9 12 Sam Hornish, Jr.* Defiance, OH Mobil Dodge Roger Penske
    10 14 Kyle Krisiloff Carmel, IN Clabber Girl Baking Powder Ford Greg Pollex
    11 15 Paul Menard Eau Claire, WI Menard’sChevy Teresa Earnhardt
    12 16 Greg Biffle Vancouver, WA 3M Ford Jack Roush
    13 17 Matt Kenseth* Cambridge, WI Dish Network Ford Jack Roush
    14 18 Tony Stewart Columbus, IN Z-Line Designs Chevy Joe Gibbs
    15 20 Denny Hamlin Midlothian, VA Rockwell Automation Chevy Joe Gibbs
    16 21 Timothy Peters Providence, NC Autozone Chevy Richard Childress
    17 22 David Stremme* South Bend, IN Super Cuts Dodge Armando Fitz
    18 23 Brad Keselowski* Rochester Hills, MI Oklahoma Centennial Chevy Keith Coleman
    19 24 Casey Mears* Bakersfield, CA National Guard Chevy Rick Hendrick
    20 25 David Gilliland Riverside, CA Free Credit Report.com Ford Ed Rensi
    21 27 Ward Burton South Boston, VA Kleenex Ford Tammy Brewer
    22 28 Jeff Green Owensboro, KY TBA Chevy Gene Haas
    23 29 Jeff Burton South Boston, VA Holiday Inn Chevy Richard Childress
    24 32 Chad Blount* Walkerton, IN TBA Toyota Todd Braun
    25 33 Kevin Harvick Bakersfield, CA Road Loans Chevy Delana Harvick
    26 34 Steve Grissom* Gadsden, AL TBA Chevy Frank Cicci
    27 35 Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Nashville, TN McDonald’s Ford Gary Weisbaum
    28 36 Brent Sherman* N. Barrington, IL Big Lots Chevy John Mcgill
    29 37 Jamie McMurray Joplin, MO Yardman Ford Clarence Brewer
    30 38 Jason Leffler Long Beach, CA Great Clips Toyota Todd Braun
    31 41 Reed Sorenson Peachtree City, GA Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit Dodge Chip Ganassi
    32 42 Juan Pablo Montoya* Bogota, Columbia Texaco-Havoline Dodge Floyd Ganassi
    33 47 Jon Wood Stuart, VA Clorox Ford Jodi Geschickter
    34 59 Marcos Ambrose Launceston, AU Kingsford Ford Tad Geschickter
    35 60 Carl Edwards Columbia, MO World Financial Group Ford Jack Roush
    36 66 Steve Wallace Charlotte, NC Homelife Communities Dodge Rusty Wallace
    37 77 Kertus Davis Gaffney, SC Dollar General Stores Chevy Delana Harvick
    38 87 Joe Nemechek* Naples, FL TBA Chevy Andrea Nemechek
    39 88 Shane Huffman Hickory, NC U.S. Navy Chevy Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
    40 90 Stephen Leicht Asheville, NC Citifinancial Ford Robert Yates
    41 99 David Reutimann Zephyrhills, FL Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota Michael Waltrip


    NASCAR Busch Series News & Notes – California

    Gilliland Hopes For Continuation Of Dream With Series Track Debut At California

    Talk about a personal whirlwind.

    Eight months ago, David Gilliland (#25 freecreditreport.com Ford) was a part-time driver in the NASCAR Busch Series competing for a team that consisted of equally part-time love-of-the-sport guys.

    But his career path was forever altered when he won his first NASCAR national series race at Kentucky Speedway last June.

    Since that victory – arguably the most memorable in series history – the Riverside, Calif., native secured a shared full-time ride with Team Rensi Motorsports in the NASCAR Busch Series, a full-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series ticket with Robert Yates Racing, won his first premier series pole and just last week, won the pole and led the first 18 laps of the Daytona 500 before finishing eighth.

    Gilliland’s hometown is a 20 minute drive from California Speedway and although he started his first national series race there last fall in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition, he’ll look to make his initial NASCAR Busch Series start at the 2-mile track.

    Gilliland’s success has come with only 16 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and 12 NASCAR Busch Series starts. But the Rensi/Yates partnership offers him plenty of experience with which to learn.

    Bobby Hamilton Jr. (#25 McDonald’s Ford) is a young veteran who can mentor Gilliland on the NASCAR Busch Series side while the legendary Ricky Rudd holds the same position in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup garage. Hamilton Jr. was a Busch Pole winner at California in 2001.

    “So much has taken place over the last eight months,” Gilliland said. “There’s not an up-and-coming driver out there that doesn’t dream about racing in NASCAR’s top divisions one day.

    “It seems like it wasn’t that long ago and I was doing the same thing; now I’m living the dream.”   

    Long Beach’s Leffler Likes Sleeper Label Heading Home

    David Gilliland will have plenty of attention this weekend at California Speedway, which is just fine with his fellow Golden State native, Jason Leffler (#38 Great Clips Toyota). Leffler – who is from Long Beach – started on the outside pole at Daytona last Saturday ushering in the Toyota era in the NASCAR Busch Series. His Braun Racing teammates – Dave Blaney (#32 Fan1st.com Toyota) was second in the race while John Andretti (#10 Camping World Toyota)  started fifth – helped cap off a strong 2007 debut for the team. Blaney is scheduled to drive the #10 ABF U-Pack Moving Toyota this weekend while Chad Blount is penciled in for the #32 Camry at California.

    Leffler finished 22nd last Saturday but could carry sleeper status to his home-state track this weekend.

    In 2004, he captured the pole for the first race at California and registered a top-10 finish in the second event that season.

    Leffler posted his track-best of seventh place in the first race at California in 2005 and is anxious to better his average finish of 23rd in both of last season’s events there.

    Big Shoes Dept.: Peters Steps Into Champion’s Ride At California

    Timothy Peters (#21 AutoZone Chevy) will be in quite a position this weekend in California.

    He’ll try to make his second career start in the NASCAR Busch Series which in itself is an exciting prospect for the 27-year-old from Providence, N.C.

    Throw in that he’s sharing the #21 Chevy with the driver who won the 2006 series championship and completed a historic sweep at Daytona last weekend – Kevin Harvick – and that Harvick will be racing his own #33 RoadLoans.com Chevy from the Kevin Harvick Inc. stable in Harvick’s home state of California, and it becomes understandable that the excitement could be exchanged for a bit of pressure.

    Most of Peters’ NASCAR national series experience has come in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he competed in 33 races over the last two seasons. He made his NASCAR Busch Series debut last October at Memphis where he finished 13th after starting 10th.

    A little pressure hasn’t seemed to bother Peters, though. Faced with a similar situration during last year at Memphis, he competed solidly with plenty of hoopla surrounding the race. His teammate clinched the 2006 series owner title for Richard Childress while Juan Pablo Montoya (#42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge) made his NASCAR debut.

    Chevy Seeks 14th Manufacturers Title

    Chevy is off and running in the pursuit to build on its record 13 Bill France Performance Cup titles thanks to Kevin Harvick’s win last Saturday at Daytona.Chevy won the title last year but will now face the challenge of three other manufacturers with the addition of Toyota to the NASCAR Busch Series. Dodge is also seeking its first title while Ford hopes to add its third manufacturer championship this year.

    Can Leffler Fend Off Roush-Fenway Racing Contingent At California?

    Most people would rather not brave the long trip from Daytona to California – especially after the whirlwind of Speedweeks. 

    Not Jason Leffler. He’s returning home, and that’s always a welcome voyage.  A resident of Moorseville, N.C., Leffler is from Long Beach, Calif., about 60 miles from California Speedway.

    In addition to heading home, there’s more good news for Leffler: he’s accumulated some impressive Loop Data numbers, which could mean a solid finish at the Stater Bros. 300.

    Over the past four years at California Speedway (three races for Leffler), the 31-year-old has 187 passes, the 10th-highest number among any NASCAR Busch Series driver during that span.  With an impressive average finish of 17.7 at California, Leffler could be a threat on Saturday.

    But he’ll have some tough competition to negotiate, especially from the Roush-Fenway Racing contingent led by Carl Edwards (#60 World Financial Group Ford), whose name is peppered throughout the Loop Data statistics. 

    Edwards finished third in this event last year and has a fifth-best Average Running Position of 6.853, a Driver Rating of 118.1 – tied for third-best – and is fourth among all drivers in Green Flag Speed.

    Greg Biffle (#16 3M Ford), the defending race winner, could also find himself in Victory Lane, so says the Loop Data.  Biffle has a fifth-best Driver Rating of 108.8 and third-fastest Speed on the Frontstretch, which is a pivotal stat when mapping out a California Speedway plan of attack.  Biffle also has top-five speeds in each of the turns at California over the past four races held there.

    Additionally, Matt Kenseth (#17 Dish Network Ford) is tied with Biffle for most series wins at California (three) while team owner Jack Roush leads in that category with five wins in NASCAR Busch Series competition at California.

    ETC

    Kertus Davis will make his debut for KHI in the #77 Dollar General Chevy at California Speedway. … The next stop for the NASCAR Busch Series will be at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on March 4. A solid contingent of drivers who hail from Mexico City are scheduled to participate including Adrian Fernandez for Hendrick Motorsports, Michel Jourdain Jr. for Roush-Fenway Racing, Carlos Contreras for Fitz Motorsports and Jorge Goeters for Brewco Motorsports. … Last year’s Mexico City winner Denny Hamlin (#20 Rockwell Automation Chevy) has plenty of early-season optimism, especially when it comes to tracks like California Speedway. “If the Las Vegas test (was) any indication of the cars we have built for intermediate tracks this season, I look forward to competing for wins each week I am in the car,” he said. … Jerry Baxter, crew chief for the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota of David Reutimann, grew up in Turlock, Calif., an hour-and-a-half away from the track. … Shane Huffman (#88 U.S. NAVY Chevy) is scheduled to fly with the Blue Angels flight demonstration team on Feb. 26 at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif. The team flies between 120-700 mph at heights of 15-15,000 feet.

    FAST FACTS

    The Race: Stater Bros. 300
    The Place:
    California Speedway
    The Date:  Feb. 24, 20071
    The Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
    TV: ESPN2, 7 p.m. (ET)
    Track Layout: 2-mile oval
    Race Purse: $1,626,139
    2005 Winner: Greg Biffle
    2006 Pole: Carl Edwards

    No. Driver Pts
    1 Harvick 190
    2 Blaney 170
    3 Edwards 170
    4 Bowyer 165
    5 Martin 155
    6 Truex Jr. 155
    7 Earnhardt Jr. 151
    8 Stewart 142
    9 Hamlin 138
    10 Biffle 134

    Schedule:
    Fri.– Practice, 8-9:15 a.m., Rooke Practice, 9:30-10 a.m.
    Sat.— Qualifying, 12:10 p.m. (Impound).


  • Additional California Busch Race Info at:
    calforniaspeedway.com
    ESPN.com Busch page
    TheHotLap.com
    Catchfence.com Busch site
    NASCAR.com