Auto Club 500

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**Auto Club 500**

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) NAPA Auto Parts 500 (2000-2002)

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 late April or early May. When the NASCAR Realignment of that year was made, the race was moved to February.

[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

Year	Date	Driver	Car Make	Winner's Prize (USD)	Distance (miles)	Average Speed (mph)
California 500 Presented by NAPA
1997	June 22	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	$144,600	500	155.012
1998	May 3	Mark Martin	Ford	$141,375	500	140.22
1999	May 2	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	$155,890	500	150.276
NAPA Auto Parts 500
2000	April 30	Jeremy Mayfield	Ford	$125,925	500	149.378
2001	April 29	Rusty Wallace	Ford	$195,090	500	143.118
2002	April 28	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	$176,750	500	150.088
Auto Club 500
2003	April 27	Kurt Busch	Ford	$213,150	500	140.111
2004	May 2	Jeff Gordon	Chevrolet	$318,628	500	137.268
2005	February 27	Greg Biffle	Ford	$288,650	500	139.697
2006	February 26	Matt Kenseth	Ford	$324,911	502	147.852
2007	February 25	Matt Kenseth	Ford	$342,316	500	138.451
2008	February 24/25	Carl Edwards	Ford	$340,500	500	132.704
2009	February 22	Matt Kenseth	Ford	$346,615	500	135.839