Welcome to the second part of our Track Feature as this week we hit the road to Fontana California where all the big names come out to play. Fontana is one of the newest tracks welcomed to the NASCAR circuit and continues to grow and expand its fan base in the western states. 
Built in 1997, California is one of the few non-super speedway tracks to feature multiple groove racing. There are literally 4-5 racing groves on this track and it isn't uncommon to see 4-5 wide racing when the cars are on new tires. When tires start to fade you will see more single or side by side racing and drivers will likely move up and race closer to the top on each end of the speedway.
If you car is running tight you can run up in the high groove and get good runs off the exit of the turn. If your car is loose or neutral, or snug, you can look to take the shortest way around the track by running down low or in the middle. Each driver tells their crew chief how the car handles and where they like to run, some prefer the top, some like the bottom, it's all based on driver preference.
California Speedway is classified as an Intermediate Speedway and is one of NASCAR's flat tracks. Fontana only has a maximum or 14 degrees of banking in the turns and down the straight-aways. California has a longer front stretch, 3,100 ft, than back stretch, 2,500 ft. The front stretch will allow you drive your car down into the corner at over 205 MPH, before having to lift off the gas.The NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series features two California races a year. Once in the spring, right after the Daytona 500, and then again in the fall, the first week of September, seating over 92,000 people per event. With the ever growing sport of NASCAR expanding to the westward states, fans are finding drivers to relate to as the likes of NASCAR stars Jimmie Johnson, driving the Lowe’s #48 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, and Jeff Gordon, Johnson's Hedrick motorsports teammate and fellow Californian. Both drivers grew up and raced in California growing up and finding their place in the racing world. The sport will continue to evolve and with it new tracks will be built in hopes of expanding the diversity of the NASCAR community, just as California has.
The picture is from a California race on Nascarxbl360.com League Server, using Nascar Racing 2003. XBL 360.com uses all of the latest modifcations and car files to recreate authentic racing for it's league members. Visit www.nascarxbl360.com for more information or e-mail me at Marty@sportsgamer.com
