Last week, it was all about short tempers to go along with a short track.  How things change on a weekly basis in NASCAR in track types is what makes the sport unique.

This Sunday, the track isn't short, the speeds are higher, and strategy comes into play.

It's the Auto Club Speedway in Southern California.  Just outside of the Hollywood Hills, it's a place more known for a red carpet and the fancy dresses than the asphalt and paint schemes.

This track is also one that has been criticized for years, as streaks of less-than-stellar crowds have been talked about each year.  Since 2004, California has hosted two Sprint Cup races.  Up until then, they only had one, and it sold out each year from 1997 through 2003.

After that, it was one lack-luster crowd after another.  Many different ideas have come because of it, but in the end the track went from hosting two races to one, with Chicagoland gaining a race, and Kentucky debuting on the schedule.

But, it's still a track that can see so many different ways to win.  Which way will it be this time?

More importantly, who do our writers feel will take the checkered flag?  Here's their picks for the Auto Club 400:

 

Misan Ayuka (SB Nation):  Tony Stewart

In three of the first four races Tony Stewart could have won those races.He should have had Las Vegas without a doubt.  He's alreadylead 212 laps this season the most of all drivers.

Smoke struggled late at Bristol finishing 19th last car on the lead lap but pay no mind to that.  He heads to Auto Club a place where he has been strong as of late.  In the last eight races he has one win, two top fives and six top tens.

He showed his intermediate strength at Vegas and thistime if he has the same strong run he won't let this one get away.

 

James Broomhead (The Checkered Flag):  Jimmie Johnson

A California boy for a California race. Like it or lump it Johnson is a modern NASCAR phenomenon. He hardly ever seems to put a toe, let alone a foot, out of place and that makes him a perfect bet to place.

 

Kelly Crandall (Speedway Media):  Carl Edwards

My pick...Carl Johnson.  What? I can't get points from both Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson? They are both going to be or should be major factors this Sunday and it's hard to pick between the two.

But since I have to I had to go and flip a coin to make the decision so ...Carl Edwards.

It's hard to find a man that has more momentum than the 99 team. Second in Daytona, the pole but an unfortunate wreck in Phoenix, win in Las Vegas and then a pole and second in Bristol. And even if you go back to the end of last year he has the last two wins of the season.

The Roush team has made a gigantic rebound and Edwards seems to be leading the charge. Johnson on the other hand isn't far off but he did not perform to standard at Las Vegas and here we head to another big track, California, and he admit that he's worried about his No. 48 team.

 

Summer Dreyer (Skirts and Scuffs):  Jimmie Johnson

I'm going with Johnson for the simple facts that I really need the points. Plus, Johnson already has a fantastic record at Fontana and did I mention has won the last five Sprint Cup Series championships? I'm feeling good about this one.

 

Billy Fellin (Richmond Times-Dispatch):  Jimmie Johnson

Johnson has just dominated at Fontana recently. He hasn't finished worse than 9th since 2006. No brainer pick here. 48 in Cali.

 

Michael Hirshbein (Fan Vs. Fan):  Juan Pablo Montoya

No commentary available.

 

Christopher Leone (On Pit Row):  Carl Edwards

He's just been too good lately. Fontana's a solid Roush track, too. It just makes too much sense not to go with the safe bet here.

 

Kara Martin (Speedway Media):  Carl Edwards

Going with the 99 this week in California.

 

Ryan O'Hara (Speedway Media):  Jimmie Johnson

Since 2004 Johnson has an average finish here of 4th, which is better than any driver on the circuit. He has won two of the last three races at Fontana.

 

Dustin Parks (All About Horsepower):  Carl Edwards

I just can't pull my Johnson bullet out yet, despite it being so tempting.  But, judging by how the last two races have gone, I have to keep on the bandwagon of the Ford camp.

Edwards won Las Vegas then finished second in Bristol, shows he's been very capable of following up his two wins to end 2010.  It also helps that California is a very good track for Roush-Fenway Racing, and they also are among some of the best at squeezing out every last bit of fuel in the car.

If it came down to that, I'd rather have Edwards feather that throttle than Johnson.

 

Sal Sigala Jr. (3 Wide and 1 To Go):  Jimmie Johnson

It was a tough choice between Johnson and Edwards for this weeks pick. But how do you bet against the home town favorite at a track he likes winning at?

 

Rob Tiongson (The Podium Finish):  Jimmie Johnson

Yes, Tony Stewart took the checkered flag at this facility last fall, but remember who won the spring race here last year?

That's right, I'm talking about J-Squared, and after his solid third place finish at Bristol last Sunday, I look for that No. 48 Chevrolet to be the car to beat once again. A five-time winner at ACS, don't be surprised if he captures a sweet sixth victory at this 14-year-old track.

 

Standings following Bristol:

Sal Sigala Jr. (140) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Kelly Crandall (131) Matt Kenseth finished fourth (0)

Rob Tiongson (113) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Ryan O'Hara (111) Kurt Busch finished seventh (1)

Billy Fellin (110) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Misan Ayuka (104) Jamie McMurray finished 21st (0)

Kara Martin (103) Kurt Busch finished seventh (0)

Michael Hirshbein (99) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Christopher Leone (99) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Dustin Parks (87) Jeff Gordon finished 14th (0)

James Broomhead (84) Denny Hamlin 33rd (0)

Summer Dreyer (75) Tony Stewart finished 19th (0)

 

Final Thoughts:  If there's anything we've learned in the last three races, it's that one of two things can happen.  Either the fastest car for the entire race will take the victory, or strategy is used to keep the fastest car from winning.

California is a track known for strategy, in fuel, tires or even restarts.  If history is any indication, this will be a repeat once again.

Find out on FOX at 3 p.m. ET.

 

Summary of Picks:

Jimmie Johnson-6

Carl Edwards-4

Juan Pablo Montoya-1

Tony Stewart-1