California a chance for many to return home

Like Hornaday, Thorsport Racing's Crafton had a solid top-10 finish in the season opener at Daytona. At California though, the eight-year veteran has been hit or miss.

In seven races at the track, Crafton, whose hometown is Tulare, Calif., has three top-fives and an average finish of 14.1. Crafton enjoys the flatness of the California track and says this race is more about the driver than the car.

"I love to race here because the track is somewhat flat, and that brings the driver's skill into the equation," Crafton said. "The track is fast, and you need the horsepower, but it's also more about driver skill. Our guys have been working real hard on the No. 88 Silverado, and I'm excited to see what we can do."

Oakland native Lester agrees, and says it's the speed of the race that makes this trip to California enjoyable.

"The California Speedway is a really fast racetrack," Lester said. "From the time they throw the green until they drop the checkered, you can race hard."

Racing hard doesn't always equal success. The 46-year-old driver of the No. 15 Chevy for Billy Ballew has yet to finish in the top 10 at California Speedway in five attempts. But an 11th-place finish at Daytona could mean things are turning around for the driver, who is still in search of that first victory.

"I really like the track and am hopeful that we'll be more competitive, power-wise, against the competition so we can come out of there with at least a top-10," Lester said.

Bill Davis Racing's Skinner is looking to California as a stepping stone to a successful season. Last year, the Susanville, Calif., native started second, led seven laps but struggled at the end and finished 17th. That started an uncontrollable freefall where the No. 5 Toyota team posted three DNFs in the next four races and despite eight poles in the season, could only finish 10th in the points.

"We are not going into California thinking we must win, or any of the next few races for that matter," Skinner said. "Last year we dug ourselves such a hole in the beginning of the season that it took us a while to dig ourselves out of it.

"This year we are focusing more on building momentum for the first few races. I guess you could say we are being a little more conservative than years past, but we are just trying to finish in the top 10 on race day and stay in the hunt more so than last year."

Skinner has started in the top five in all four California races the driver has been in, but has only one top-five finish to show for it. Despite frustrations, Skinner loves this West Coast stop.

"I was born in Ontario right outside from the speedway, so I guess you could say it is my hometown track," he said. "We have always qualified well in California so hopefully we can get a good finish there this year as well.

"I absolutely love going to California Speedway. Even though we have struggled there in the Craftsman Truck Series, I still think it is the best place in the world."