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closeKeselowski closing, but that California track hasn't been kind
INSIDE THE NATIONWIDE SERIES
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008
Clint Bowyer (2) leads Brad Keselowski (88) on the backstretch at Bristol Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
A midweek look inside NASCAR's second-tier touring group, the Nationwide Series:
Elevator
UP - Brad Keselowski
Raced his way right back into the championship picture.
UP - Clint Bowyer
Missed out on a win at Bristol but the second-place finish was still much-needed.
UP - Cale Gale
Every race he runs he looks more impressive.
3 to Watch
JEFF BURTON: In his last two races at Auto Club Speedway, Burton has a pole and a win, including his victory in this race one year ago.
BRYAN CLAUSON: California native returns to Chip Ganassi Racing's No. 40 Dodge this week after a four-week hiatus.
BRAD KESELOWSKI: Closing in on series leader Bowyer, but he'll have to turn things around at California, where he hasn't finished better than 32nd in four races.
Observations
• Saturday night's race will be the first Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards meet on the track since their feuding at the conclusion of last weekend's Cup race at Bristol, Tenn. There doesn't appear to be any love lost between the drivers and both have memories of past incidents, including run-ins in the Nationwide Series. Given the two outgoing personalities involved, every lap at California should be an adventure.
• Joey Logano received the official nod from Joe Gibbs Racing this week as the replacement for Tony Stewart in the organization's No. 20 Toyotas in the Cup series next season. The 18-year-old upstart still has plenty of racing to do this season in Nationwide, including his first appearance this weekend at Auto Club Speedway. There's nothing like on-the-job training to get prepared.
This week's race
Camping World 300
Where: Auto Club Speedway of California, Fontana, Calif.
When: 10 p.m. Saturday.
TV: ESPN2.
Last year's winner: Jeff Burton.
Top 10 in points
1. Clint Bowyer 3,762; 2. Brad Keselowski 3,640; 3. Carl Edwards 3,521; 4. David Reutimann 3,361; 5. Mike Bliss 3,347; 6. David Ragan 3,290; 7. Kyle Busch 3,149; 8. Jason Leffler 3,044; 9. Mike Wallace 3,021; 10. Marcos Ambrose 2,964.