Weekend That Was: Calif.

FONTANA, Calif. -- It would be too easy to point out all that is supposedly wrong with Nextel Cup racing in the wake of Sunday's Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway.

But really, how bad is it?

Sure, the Chase for the Nextel Cup is about to commence without Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the megastars of the sport even though he hasn't won a race in 15 months. Sure, whomever arrived at the official crowd estimate of 85,000 for Sunday's race is working in the right place -- Hollywood and all that make-believe stuff is only an hour or so down the road, even though it seems light years away.

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But Sunday's race was entertaining. Dare we say it was far more entertaining than the previous weekend's Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, a far more prestigious track where the thought of all those empty seats for a race sickens the stomach.

And even though the California crowd was more like 70,000 at a venue that seats 92,000 and holds 110,000 if the infield is sold out, can anyone blame the good folks of Southern California who stayed at home for not turning out in the heat of the moment? (Read More) Certainly race winner Jimmie Johnson couldn't, and he's a native of the area (or at least claims to be, calling it his "home track" even though he grew up two hours away in El Cajon, Calif.).

Johnson was asked afterward about the crowd, or lack thereof (Press Pass). He admitted that he wouldn't come out and sit in the heat -- which peaked at 109 degrees and lingered in the mid-90s long after the sun went down -- for six or seven hours or for however long it took to run the 500-mile event. (Note to Jimmie: the record-tying 11 cautions only made it seem like six or seven hours).

At least this race featured 30 lead changes among 16 different drivers. There was plenty of side-by-side racing, frequently three-wide.

Then, in addition, there was the riveting race within the race involving Earnhardt and his frantic chase to get into the Chase. He ultimately fell short -- but he and his No. 8 team made it interesting with a blue-collar effort and his fifth-place finish at least kept himself marginally alive mathematically going into next weekend's race at Richmond.

There are those critics who will joke that the Richmond race is rendered irrelevant because the Chase field, comprised of the top 12 drivers in points after the first 26 events of the season, essentially is set. While Earnhardt may be mathematically alive in the dreaded 13th spot, his chances are on life support and Last Rites already have been administered.

Of those immediately in front of him, all are now virtual locks to make the Chase. All Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr., who sit ninth and 10th, respectively, must do to clinch their Chase spots is start Saturday's race -- regardless of what Earnhardt does. Kurt Busch, sitting in 11th, must merely finish 36th or better; and Kevin Harvick, who is 12th, must finish 32nd or better.

But the fact is that the Chase is doing its job. The California race might have been a monumental bore if the Chase was not in place -- and anyone who thinks Richmond won't be loads of fun totally underestimates the desire of the Chase racers to earn the extra 10 bonus points that comes with a win and precious momentum heading into the sport's version of the playoffs.

Plus there now will be those, such as Earnhardt, who absolutely have nothing to lose by going all-out for the win -- and not just a good finish -- now that they are either officially or at least essentially eliminated from Chase contention.

"It could be wild -- even wilder than usual -- at Richmond," Jeff Burton conceded.

That's the way it should be every week from here on in, and that's a good thing. (Continued)