California knows how to party: The Campingworld.com 300 Preview

Now, Auto Club isn’t the most exciting track on the schedule, but thankfully we have great story lines and great Nationwide stars to make this race exciting. It’s nearing the end of the year, which means that not only will I have to start contending with harsh Wisconsin winters, but we will soon be without weekly racing. Most local tracks have already finished their racing season and the Nationwide Series has just 6 races left counting this weekend.

Six, race fans. We now have less than two months before the end of the 2010 Season. So now may be the time to tune in and watch, before we turn around and realize that a champion has been crowned and it’s 4 months until the Daytona.

The race for the Nationwide Championship seems to be down to just two drivers; Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards. Others are mathematically still in the hunt, but they will soon start dropping like flies and now would be the perfect time for those not trying to win the championship to visit victory lane.

The past 5 races at Auto Club have been won by Joe Gibbs Racing. Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch took home the checkered in 2008. Kyle and Joey Logano won in ‘09, and Kyle won earlier this year. Both Busch and Logano are entered into the race this week. All cameras will be on Danica Patrick, who I’m sure has to have broken records for most TV time of any other driver this year and she hasn’t even entered half the events so far. Expect to return from commercial to the black number #7 car as it runs a lap down. I kid, but only cause it’s true.

I’ve been a pretty harsh critic Danica. I actually had someone tell me that I just didn’t like the idea of women drivers. Not true. I’m a huge fan of Mackena Bell. As well as Ally Owens. Both drivers are up and comers, and I hope that they get the opportunities that they deserve. My problem with Danica Patrick is that she’s given all of these opportunities because of her popularity. Now, she does have some level of driving ability, but I would take Bell or Owens over her any day. Just based on pure talent and ability.

Jennifer Jo Cobb has had to run her own team just to break into NASCAR. Crissy Wallace used her family name, and she still isn’t a full time driver in Nationwide. But Patrick brings in money, plain and simple. And if Kenny Wallace wants to say “money buys rides”, then he should aim that same criticism at Danica.

Let’s not forget that two of the biggest and brightest stars in Nationwide just got fired. Both were in the top 15 in points and had numerous top 10 finishes. If they drove to as bad of finishes that Patrick has run, they would have been let go earlier. But they didn’t. They were doing everything right, but because of sponsorship issues, or new team owners, they were cut loose. That’s not about to happen to Danica Patrick. If Owens or Bell ran like Patrick, they too would be pink slipped.

Let me know what your take is on all of this in the comments section. Let’s get a good old fashioned conversation going.

Entry List and more after the JUMP!

After that rant I feel I should apologize to Bob for having to edit it (that’s what assistants are for boss).

News and Views:

Join us Saturday at 4pm eastern on ESPN2 for the Campingworld.com 300 from Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA! Enjoy!