Auto Club 500 Winners and Losers

So the freight train that was the Auto Club 500 is over and done. For a race track located in one of the driest areas of the country, it's the second time in three races the Cup Series has fought rain at the track.

I guess NASCAR does have to be worried about the economy after all. The grandstands reminded me of ghost town with the top 1/3 of the seats basically empty all the way around the track on Sunday. The Nationwide and Truck races had about 1500 people there and that was it. Pathetic really once you realize that one ticket got you in to see the Truck and Nationwide races as well as final practice for the Cup Series.

The action up front was more than lacking. Each leader basically checked out from the field with the exception of the final run which had Gordon keeping Kenseth in sight but never really threatening. The action mid-pack was better but since the FOX cameras seem to want to focus up front, we didn't get to see much of it. How this track continues to have two dates is beyond me.

Winners

Matt Kenseth - Although he still isn't fast on Friday his pit crew more than makes up for it on Sunday. They got him out front and he ran a mistake free race to stay there. Always the pessimist, his radio chatter would make you believe he was just waiting to get passed by Gordon for the win. Here's hoping two wins in a row turns him into a glass half full kinda guy.

Kyle Busch - This kid dominates the Truck and Nationwide races on Saturday and then finishes third on Sunday. Looks like another year of domination for Shrubby.

Michael Waltrip Racing - After what many would call a lackluster season last year, both Michael and Reutimann finished quietly in the Top 15 yesterday and find themselves in the in the Top 15 in the points as well. Reutimann is my dark horse to win a race this year.

Jeff Hammond - After Mike Joy, DW, and Larry Mac made incorrect calls on Greg Biffle's pit stop and Kevin Harvick's obvious blown engine that was called a blown tire Hammond jumped into the broadcast and quickly corrected the booth on both calls. Mr. Hammond I salute you. There are times when watching FOX's coverage that I wonder if they are watching the same race I am.

Losers

Jimmie Johnson - Dominates both practice sessions, sits on the front row in qualifying, then dominates the first third of the race. Their inability to keep up with the changing conditions and faster pace of the race negates them to a 9th place finish. This season is looking like a mirror to 2008 where the 48 team finished 27th at Daytona, 2nd and California, and 29th at Las Vegas and were sitting 14th in the points after 3 races.

Digger - The camera angle is great. We get it. But the cartoon must go. Even my eight year-old thinks it's ridiculous. My guess is that this concept was drawn up for the children watching the race. When they don't enjoy it, it's time to give it up.

Greg Biffle - Quite possibly the car to beat on Sunday but lost all hopes by sliding through his pit box. Look for him to steal some of Cousin Carl's thunder this year.

NASCAR Fans - A mostly boring race with once caution on the track for an actual accident, low attendance, Gavin Rossdale, and TV coverage that missed at least three calls. The day FOX realizes that the fans want more coverage like the interview Dale Jr. gave to DW and less Digger is the day ratings will fix themselves.

Next Up:

Camping World Series

• Off weekend, next race is March 7th at Atlanta. Coverage begins at 1:30 PM Eastern on SPEED.

Nationwide Series

• Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas Motorspeedway. Coverage begins at 4:00 PM Eastern on ESPN2.

Sprint Cup Series

• Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motorspeedway. Coverage begins at 3:30 PM Eastern on FOX.