"Who said it was over, which one of ya'll? I told ya it wasn't over."
That quote made by Denny Hamlin last fall was about how he close up the Chase standings following another victory. Little did we know that months later that quote would describe a race in California.
With all talk about how the Auto Club Speedway has experienced boring or long races, the move to 400 miles last fall was the best move it could make.
This year, with only one race, the Sprint Cup Series left a definite mark on the track. All race long, Kyle Busch was out front. Most laps led, quickest lap times, most consistent laps; he did it all.
But when it came late in the race, thanks to a late caution, things changed.
Jimmie Johnson came charging up, and had Busch's number, getting the lead late. But behind them Harvick was coming.
The white flag lap, Harvick sailed into the second turn high, then pushed Johnson down the backstretch to the third turn. With the momentum Johnson carried, he had to let up, and Harvick went for it. A pass out of the fourth turn, then cutting down the track, made a last-lap pass for victory.
Harvick led one lap; in fact, he led probably 1/4th a lap. But, he led the money lap, and that's what counts.
That pass cost six writers a victory, and more importantly bonus points heading into the Chase. However, it was an excellent points day for everyone, as just one writer finished outside the top-10.
Here's how the standings are now after the Auto Club 400:
Sal Sigala Jr. (183) Jimmie Johnson finished second (1)
Kelly Crandall (169) Carl Edwards finished sixth (0)
Rob Tiongson (156) Jimmie Johnson finished second (1)
Ryan O'Hara (154) Jimmie Johnson finished second (1)
Billy Fellin (153) Jimmie Johnson finished second (1)
Kara Martin (141) Carl Edwards finished sixth (0)
Christopher Leone (137) Carl Edwards finished sixth (1)
Misan Ayuka (136) Tony Stewart finished 13th (0)
Michael Hirshbein (134) Juan Pablo Montoya finished 10th (1)
James Broomhead (127) Jimmie Johnson finished second (0)
Dustin Parks (125) Carl Edwards finished sixth (0)
Summer Dreyer (118) Jimmie Johnson finished second (0)
NEXT RACE: If there was ever an idea of NASCAR's idea of a traffic jam, next Sunday will prove it. Tight spaces, beating sheet metal, and many dents will make up the next stop on the circuit.
Up next, the "Paper Clip" in Martinsville, Virginia. The shortest track on the circuit will be NASCAR's version of rush hour.
Writers, everything is back to normal this week as I am back home. Picks for the Goody's Fast Relief 500 are due by Thursday, March 31, at 9 p.m. ET.
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