posted February 23, 2007 at 17:03 EST in NASCAR Free Picks

On Sunday, the good ole boys take to Fontana to do a little California dreamin' in the Auto Club 500. Rick Hendrick and Jack Roush own nine victories in 13 Nextel Cup races held at California Speedway, with Hendrick holding a slight advantage of five victories to Roush's four.

In 112 Cup starts at Fontana, these two owners have captured 32 top-fives (28.5 percent of their entries), 50 top-10s (44.6 percent), and have finished outside the top 25 only 22 times.

On average, they have captured half of the top-fives and 40 percent of the available top-10s since California Speedway opened. This sort of domination should attract the attention of sports betting individuals around the track.

 

Jeff Gordon spent the better portion of his childhood in Indiana, but he was born in California. His racing roots can be traced to California, and he's the strongest native at California Speedway. Gordon by far has provided Hendrick their most success at Fontana.

Gordon won the inaugural race at Fontana in 1997, the first of three victories there, and he's the only multiple winner at California Speedway. As well, Gordon has the most top-fives, with six, and has led 455 laps, the most of any Nextel Cup driver.

Carl Edwards has been perfect in regard to top-10 finishes at California and has been stout for Roush. He was sixth during his inaugural attempt in fall 2004, two weeks after he finished 10th on the similarly-configured Michigan International Speedway in his Nextel Cup debut. He has only improved since.

His next four California races were all in the top 10, and even though he has yet to win on this two-mile track or its older sister in the Midwest, it is only a matter of time.

Following last week's minus-$300 Daytona 500 outing, it's time to bounce back here and now. Gordon has proven he can get the job done in Fontana, and being the horse of the Hendrick's stable, let's go with him to win the Auto Club 500 at +780.

Back that play up by selecting Gordon to finish in the Top-3 at +260. This provides the opportunity to win both plays if he can find victory lane.

Edwards, a product of Roush Racing, should certainly get some of the race fan that bets on sports’ attention as well. He may not take the checkers in this one, but at +280 to post a Top-3 finish, I like his chances to bring back some coins.

 

Auto Club 500 Selection's Recap:

Jeff Gordon +780 to win race
Jeff Gordon +260 Top-3 finish  
Carl Edwards +280 Top-3 finish 

Year to date record following the Daytona 500: -$300 

A running total of records will be provided throughout the season graded on $100 (units) wagers. So buckle up and enjoy the ride.

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