When Jeff Gordon first burst onto the scene in 1992, there were not many drivers from west of the Mississippi.
Gordon led the charge and in turn changed this sport forever.
His success from open wheel to stock cars led the way for guys like Tony Stewart who cut his teeth on the dirt in Indiana.
Also, the expansion of NASCAR brought in talent from the west. Drivers like Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle, Casey Mears and Kasey Kahne are west coast transplants.
All are products of racing out on the west coast. All have won in NASCAR top touring series.
Gordon arguably has been the most successful of the California transplants in NASCAR. 83 wins, 274 top fives and 376 top 10’s.
This weekend Gordon heads west in search of his first win this season. For the second time in three years Gordon is in danger of going winless an entire season.
It’s not like Gordon hasn’t been competitive in 2010. In fact, at times this season he has had one of the best cars.
The problem they seem to have is closing the deal but this weekend that could all change with the Pepsi 400 at Auto Club Speedway.
At ACS his numbers are pretty impressive with three wins, 10 top fives and 10 top 10 finishes. In the two of the last three races Gordon has finished second.
One step further, his 20th place finish in February was the first time since 2008 he finished outside the top three.
This weekend he comes to ACS with some momentum on his side after a fifth place finish at Kansas.
Gordon said last week that the mile and half tracks are where they need to gain the most points.
"We've always heard, at least the last few years that the guys who are strong on the mile-and-a-halves are going to be the guys who win the championships. We certainly hope that holds true as well, because that's where we put a lot of our focus, and we're better. You still have to be good on the other tracks, but I think a lot of times those mile-and-a-half [tracks] ... they seem to be more of a determining factor."
Now sitting fifth in points and only 58 points off the lead this weekend’s race will be another perfect opportunity to continue his climb in the standings.
Now his team head back west where it all began for Gordon and hope to end the weekend in victory lane.
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