NASCAR Cup Series

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 12TH: ON THE TIRE SITUATION - “To be honest with you, the back straightaway is very rough and I think the tire can’t handle the load that it goes through on that back straightaway."

Camry driver Kyle Busch won his second consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at California’s Auto Club Speedway -- located in Toyota’s backyard. Busch also won the 2013 race. The win could solidify Busch a spot in this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

ARIC ALMIROLA, No. 43 Farmland Ford Fusion – ON ACCIDENT WITH 33 CAR (BRIAN SCOTT) - “That’s the first chance I got to see the replay. It's pretty obvious what happened. The 33 was obviously a dart without feathers and coming across the race track. He ran right into me. It's a shame for our Farmland team, our Ford Fusion was getting a lot better. We didn't start off the race like we had wanted to but got it a lot better. "

J.D. GIBBS, president, No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - “We have an issue with Denny Hamlin, I’m sure most of you all know, but he has a sinus infection and it’s affecting his vision, so he won’t be able to start the race today. "

Joey Logano was forced to a backup car late in the day Saturday after a flat left front tire forced the No. 22 Ford Fusion into the wall during Happy Hour practice at Auto Club Speedway. Logano, talked about the incident and what it means for tomorrow.

When Brian Vickers hits the track for the race on Sunday, he won't just be racing for a good finish - he'll be raising awareness about blood clots. Vickers will be driving a special No. 55 TREATMYCLOT.com/Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota in the Auto Club 500 this weekend.

Furniture Row Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. was forced to a backup Chevrolet after damaging his primary car in Saturday's first Sprint Cup practice at Auto Club Speedway. The incident was triggered when the left-rear tire went flat as Truex was going into Turn 1 on the 2-mile oval.

There are some instances where it is actually difficult to pick a definitive favorite to win the race. This is not the case with the Auto Club 400. Jimmie Johnson has won four of the last 10 races at his home track, and five overall including his first victory back in 2002.

Denny Hamlin had an eventful final corner at Auto Club Speedway last season, to say the least. Him and Joey Logano – who had a dispute the week before at Bristol – battled the entire white flag lap for the win, but eventually touched putting Hamlin into the inside wall, Logano into the outside wall, and sending Kyle Busch to victory lane.

Ryan Newman’s short tenure with Richard Childress Racing has been acceptable, and while winning a race would almost guarantee them a Chase berth, the No. 31 team continues to bank on consistent finishes and reliable results to be granted a spot in this year’s Chase – however, they’re holding a free and loose attitude heading to Auto Club Speedway this weekend.