Sterling Marlin hasn't led at Fontana despite starting every race there since the track opened. Credit: Autostock

By The Numbers: Auto Club 500

FONTANA, Calif. -- In 2005, California Speedway's role in the Nextel Cup season drastically changes for the second consecutive season.

The two-mile clone of Michigan International Speedway hosts the second race on the schedule, the Auto Club 500, for the first time after it held two events in one season for the first time in 2004.

Elliott Sadler is the most recent Nextel Cup winner at California and if Jeff Gordon is able to defend his spring race victory he will begin this season with a two-race sweep.

The following numbers refer to California Speedway unless otherwise noted.

0 -- The number of laps led by Sterling Marlin.

3 -- The leading number of career victories by Jeff Gordon: 2004, 1999 and 1997.

Elliott Sadler won a caution-filled event at California last fall. Credit: Autostock

3 -- The number of drivers who have competed in all nine races without a top 10 finish: Ken Schrader, Kyle Petty and Joe Nemechek.

4 -- Rick Hendrick's leading number of car owner victories.

4 -- The fewest caution periods, in June 1997.

4 -- Jeff Gordon's consecutive top five finishes, since Phoenix in November 2004.

4 -- The number of times in nine races that the winner has started in one of the top five positions, most recently by Jimmie Johnson in 2002 (started fourth).

5 -- The leading number of top five finishes by Jeff Gordon.

5 -- The leading number of manufacturer wins by Ford.

5 -- The leading number of top 10 finishes by Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte and Rusty Wallace.

7 -- Jimmie Johnson's consecutive top-10 finishes, since Lowe's Motor Speedway in October 2004.

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8 -- The number of different pole winners in the qualifying sessions that have been held.

8 -- The fewest leaders, most recently of two times in April 2002.

9 -- The number of races held since the spring 1997 inaugural.

9 -- The fewest finishers on the lead lap, most recently of two times in May 1999.

9.33 -- Jeff Gordon's average finish, best among drivers who have competed in all nine races.

11 -- The most caution periods, in September 2004.

11.88 -- Jeff Gordon's average start, best among drivers who have competed in all nine races.

14 -- The degree of banking in the four turns.

15 -- The most leaders, most recently of two times in May 2004.

16 -- The number of drivers who have competed in all nine races.

16 -- Tony Stewart's best finish in his last four races.

18 -- The fewest lead changes, in May 1998.

18 -- Kevin Lepage's best finish in three starts.

22 -- The fewest caution laps, most recently of two times in April 2000.

24 -- Jeremy Mayfield's starting position in 2000, the furthest back a winner has started.

26 -- The fewest laps led by a race winner, Jeremy Mayfield, in April 2000.

28 -- The most finishers on the lead lap, in September 2004.

29 -- The most lead changes, in September 2004.

32 -- The fewest cars running at the finish, in June 1997.

40 -- The most cars running at the finish, in April 2001.

51 -- The most caution laps, in September 2004.

155.012 -- Jeff Gordon's race record average speed, in miles per hour, set in three hours, 13 minutes and 32 seconds in 1997.

165 -- The most laps led by a race winner, Mark Martin, in May 1998.

187.432 -- Ryan Newman's Bud Pole Qualifying record lap in miles per hour, set in 38.414 seconds in April 2002.

410 -- Jeff Gordon's leading number of career laps led in nine starts.

92,000 -- The announced grandstand seating capacity.