Fearless leader is out today, charging me with getting you guys a race thread. The closest Chase in recent memory continues today and without further ado, here’s today’s hot topics!
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi Max 400 | Auto Club Speedway Open Race Thread
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Jamie McMurray captured the pole (185.285 mph) for today’s Pepsi Max 400, at the Auto Club Speedway. The money driver of 2010 earned his seventh career pole and sixth of 2010 with a qualifying time of 38.859.
MacMurray has had a solid season and could easily win Sunday’s race. That being said, all focus from here has to be on the Chase for the Championship.
Jimmie Johnson’s name is often invoked with ‘championship’. After qualifying eighth, Johnson (183.702/39.194 s)could easily put the early claim on his fifth title with a strong run on Sunday.
The notoriously slow-to-qualify Matt Kenseth shocked the California crowd, becoming the top qualifying Chaser with a 184.096/ 39.110 qualifying time. The 11th place chaser needs a strong run on Sunday if he’s to stay in Championship contention. Kenseth has always been strong in the spring event at Auto Club Speedway but will need a fall win if he’s to get back in the championship picture.
Denny Hamlin is is going to have to come from deep in the field if he is to take back the Championship lead. Look for him to make it close.
Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards have put themselves in a solid position entering Auto Club Speedway but both need a win if they are going to win the title. Will today be the day?
Find out after the jump!
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