Auto Club 500
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| Venue | Auto Club Speedway |
| Corporate sponsor | Automobile Club of Southern California |
| First race | 1997 |
| Distance | 500 miles (804.7 km) |
| Number of laps | 250 |
| Previous names | California 500 Presented by NAPA (1997-1999) |
The Auto Club 500 is a 500 miles (804.7 km) long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. This is one of two races held at the Auto Club Speedway, the other being the Pepsi 500. Prior to 2005, the race was held in May. When the NASCAR Realignment of that year was made, the race was moved to February.
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[edit] History
After nearly a decade, NASCAR came back to Southern California on June 22, 1997 with the inaugural California 500. The race featured 21 lead changes among a dozen different drivers. Jeff Gordon passed Mark Martin with 11 laps remaining and sped to victory. Terry Labonte took second, giving Hendrick Motorsports another 1-2 finish.
Gordon has won this race three times and Matt Kenseth has three wins, making them the only drivers to win it more than once. Roush Fenway Racing has won each of the last five Auto Club 500 races.
[edit] Past winners
Auto Club 500
- 2009 Matt Kenseth
- 2008 Carl Edwards
- 2007 Matt Kenseth
- 2006 Matt Kenseth (251 laps / 502 miles due to green-white-checker finish)
- 2005 Greg Biffle
- 2004 Jeff Gordon
- 2003 Kurt Busch
NAPA Auto Parts 500
- 2002 Jimmie Johnson
- 2001 Rusty Wallace
- 2000 Jeremy Mayfield
California 500 Presented by NAPA
- 1999 Jeff Gordon
- 1998 Mark Martin
- 1997 Jeff Gordon
[edit] Manufacturer wins
| Rank | Manufacturer | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford | 9 |
| 2 | Chevrolet | 4 |
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[edit] External links
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