Cup Series returns to normal in California

It's only the second race into a very long season, but this Sunday's Auto Club 500 (3 p.m. ET, FOX) at California Speedway looms large for several high-profile drivers looking to climb out of an early hole.

Accidents marred the efforts of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart at Daytona. All of those drivers are 30th or worse in the standings after one week of racing.

Matt Kenseth, who was involved in the last-lap crash, is also way down the charts after his points penalty was upheld after appeal. Kenseth, who is 40th in the standings after the 50-point deduction, will try to make those up as defending winner in the Auto Club 500.

"We've always bounced back in a big way after Daytona, so I'm expecting nothing less this weekend." said Kenseth, who has the best driver rating (110.1) at California the past two years.

"Fontana has been a good track for us recently. Last February was sort of a weird deal. We didn't have the best car, but we had it good at the end. Then the two best cars had engine problems and the next thing you know, we were leading when it mattered. I really like this type of track. It's smooth and wide with plenty of room to try some different lines and set up the pass."

Teammate Greg Biffle lead a race-high 168 laps before engine failure 21 laps from the schedule finish ruined his day. He finished 42nd. Tony Stewart was last, engine failure ending his run 15 laps earlier.

"It's nice knowing that as a driver you can help yourself out and you're not relying so much on the car," Stewart said of California Speedway. "It makes you feel good knowing that because the place is so wide, you can move around, and basically, earn your money that day."

Stewart finished 43rd last week, too, after his run-in with Kurt Busch. He's 39th in points. The last time Stewart began a season this far down in the point standings was 2002, the year he claimed his first Cup Series championship.

While Stewart has never won at California, he has sandwiched two top-10s around the last-place finish a year ago. (Continued)