BLOG FEATURE: Ashley Van Dyke NASCAR Action

Big thanks to our USA correspondent, Ashley van Dyke and her snapper, Hannah Ross for this original Road Magazine blog feature on this weekend's NASCAR action in Fontana, California, hosted by The Auto Club Speedway, attracting up to 50 teams and top NASCAR drivers, taking part in the Auto Club 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The lovely, NASCAR-mad, Ashley Van Dyke says: "Nationwide race on Saturday saw great racing weather and had a very exciting shoot out in the front of the pack for the final 30 laps. The action ended with checkard flag in hand for Joey Lagano. He was piloting the #18 car from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable. Mr. Gibbs was on-site at Fontana and was a very happy man standing in victory lane with Joey and the hard working team. 

"After being unsure of how this NASCAR weekend would turn out due to a chance of rain on Sunday, the crews and fans awaited early morning with clear skies to get the Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 started. The driver introductions took place as it was sunny and appeared to be good to go for a full race of 400 miles. Fan favorites like Dale Earndhart Jr. and Jeff Gordon made their way on to the grid for opening ceremonies as the Three Stooges gave everyone the starting commands. Pole sitter Denny Hamlin looked confident before the race as he started in the number one spot in his #11 Fedex Camry next to teammate #18 Kyle Busch.
"The beginning of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race started off strong for the two Toyota drivers but slowly and surely, the Chevrolet cars were coming up the pack toward the front. With the rain coming, the crew chiefs and teams had to be prepared for all or nothing. When to pit and how long to stay out quickly became the deciding factors in what the outcome would be for the Auto Club 400.
"Some rain drops came and the race went yellow. Unsure if it would let up or not, Tony Stewart ended up winning a race shortened event as NASCAR made the decision to call the race, as it was over the half way mark. Victory lane took place under the walkway to the garage as everyone was trying to stay dry. It didn't stop raining for the rest of the day.
"Second place behind Tony in the Auto Club 400 was #18 Kyle Busch, third was #88 Dale Jr., #29 Kevin Harvick followed in fourth, and #99 Carl Edwards completed the top five. The action was up and down with drivers focusing not only on their cars, but also on the rain. Everyone was glad this race didn't get pushed to Monday and was completed with no delays. Now, off to Martinsville and then the teams will have a week off for Easter." Thanks to Hannah and Ashley for that. See more of Miss Van Dyke at www.ashleyvandyke.com. Loving the NASCAR report...