California Speedway
Auto Club 300

California Speedway

One of the more difficult challenges of my NASCAR Busch Series rookie season is racing at many race tracks that I've seen only on television. California Speedway was one of those tracks. 

During the first practice session I was trying to learn my way around the track as quickly as possible so we could start working on a qualifying setup. After practice I felt like we had a good chance to qualify in the top 25. I liked the track, which is a two-mile, smooth, wide, race track. Unfortunately, we had a bit of bad luck with our qualifying draw. We drew a late number, and by the time we were meant to qualify, the temperature had climbed considerably. Warmer temperatures usually slow a race track down, so this was certainly not to our advantage. We were still were able to qualify, but we had to start from the 30th position.

The race was, for the most part, uneventful. We fought a tight race car most of the day and ended up in the 21st position. It was a great experience for the entire team, because this was the first time our team has raced on a 2-mile race track. This race should serve as a good test session for Michigan Speedway, the 2-mile track after which California Speedway was patterned. 

Next week it's another track I have never seen before....Richmond. It will be my first night race in the Busch Series, but that's fine with me because some of my races last year in the ASA series were held at night. Night races are fun. We will try to have another solid run, and get back into the top 20. 

Thanks for your support.

Larry Foyt        

Points standing: Foyt is now 24^th in the points, the highest he's been since mid-March.