Auto Club 500
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| Venue | California Speedway |
| Corporate sponsor | Automobile Club of Southern California |
| First race | 1997 |
| Distance | 500 miles (805 km) |
| Number of laps | 250 |
| Previous names | California 500 Presented by NAPA (1997-1999) |
The Auto Club 500 is a NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. This is one of two races held at the California Speedway, the other being the Sony HD 500. Prior to 2005, the race was held in May. When the NASCAR Realignment of that year was made, the race was moved to February.
[edit] 1997
After nearly a decade, NASCAR came back to California on June 22, 1997 with the inaugral Caifornia 500. The race featured 21 lead changes among a dozen different drivers. Jeff Gordon passed Mark Martin with 11 laps remaining and sped to victory. Terry Labonte took second, giving Hendrick Motorsports another 1-2 finish.
[edit] Past winners
- 2007 Matt Kenseth
- 2006 Matt Kenseth
- 2005 Greg Biffle
- 2004 Jeff Gordon
- 2003 Kurt Busch
- 2002 Jimmie Johnson
- 2001 Rusty Wallace
- 2000 Jeremy Mayfield
- 1999 Jeff Gordon
- 1998 Mark Martin
- 1997 Jeff Gordon
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