Ragan riding wave of momentum into California

David Ragan knows he has replaced a legend, but the challenge doesn't intimidate him. Now in his second season in both of NASCAR's top two national series, Ragan is ready to emulate Mark Martin right into Victory Lane.

A year removed from being known as "Mark Martin's replacement" in the Cup Series, Ragan is looking to stand out on his own. Only 22, Ragan is making progress. He claimed the 2007 Raybestos Rookie of the Year in what is now the Nationwide Series and finished fifth in the point standings.

Fast facts

What	Stater Bros. 300
When	7:30 p.m. ET Saturday
TV	ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET
Radio	MRN Sirius Satellite Ch. 128

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Ragan's successful debut in NASCAR's No. 2 series, however, was overshadowed by Roush Fenway Racing teammate Carl Edwards' dominating championship run. Edwards is returning to defend his title, and Richard Childress Racing's Clint Bowyer is expected to be his main competition. Ragan, though, has other ideas.

"We can sneak up on them and catch them when they least expect it," Ragan said. "They should be the favorites. They've been in it longer than anyone, they've had the best racecars and the best teams to work with the last three or four years. I think we can contend. That's what is going to make this year a lot of fun."

Ragan finished ninth in last week's opener at Daytona and brings momentum to Saturday's Nationwide Series race at California Speedway, a track the Roush team has dominated. Roush drivers have won six of the past eight series races at the 2-mile track, including the past four spring races.

"Last year we left Daytona 43rd in points, and we were needing a good run at California," said Ragan, who responded with a 10th-place finish. "It will be a lot better going to California this year because we had such a good run last week. Even though the tracks are completely different, it's always good to take a good run with you."

It's also good to know that your team's cars run well at the track. Greg Biffle has three series wins at Fontana, and Matt Kenseth won last year's race (he also won three series races at California before joining Roush). Edwards won in September 2005. Biffle and Kenseth are not racing Saturday, leaving Edwards, Ragan and Jamie McMurray to represent Roush.

"It's a little pressure coming in because our cars always run so well in California," Ragan said. "But we also have a good setup, a good engine package and a good program all around. That makes my job a little easier.

"[Crew chief] Mike Kelley and the guys know we are coming out here with a good car and to run the best we can. It's good to know that there is some help on the racing side to make it easier for me."

In the Loop

Jeff Burton steps back into the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend, and if the stats are any indication, he won't miss a beat.

Burton is outstanding at California. He won the last time the series went to the 2-mile track and hasn't finished outside the top 10 in any of his past three races there.

Since 2005, he has a Driver Rating of 123.1, an Average Running Position of 5.1, a series-high 119 Fastest Laps Run, an average Green Flag Speed of 173.061 mph and has run 93.5 percent of the laps in the top 15. Burton did not run at Daytona.

Jason Leffler

By the Numbers: 0

Number of California natives to win a Nationwide race at California Speedway.

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This weekend could also be a great opportunity for Carl Edwards. The reigning series champion sits 11th in the point standings, but will race at one of his favorite venues Saturday. He won there in 2005, racking up a race-high Driver Rating of 141.8.

Overall since 2005 -- which includes three top-five finishes -- Edwards has an average Driver Rating of 107.0, an Average Running Position of 9.4, 80 Fastest Laps Run, a series-high 290 Green Flag Passes and a series-high 736 Laps in the Top 15 (81.8 percent).

What also may prove interesting this weekend is the impressive runs by Kyle Busch. He placed in the top 10 in all three of NASCAR's national series at Daytona last week and will try to accomplish the feat again this weekend. He'll run both legs of the Nationwide-Truck Series doubleheader, and the stats suggest he'll have an opportunity to once again run up front.

In the two California races last season, Busch ran third and second, respectively. He has a Driver Rating of 104.6, an Average Running Position of 9.6, 47 Fastest Laps Run and 439 Laps in the Top 15.

Regional champs at California

Two former NASCAR West Series champions are entered in the Stater Bros. 300 at California Speedway.

Kevin Harvick won the championship in 1998, which started a climb up the NASCAR ladder that has taken him all the way to the Cup Series. A two-time champion in NASCAR's No. 2 series, Harvick has finished out of the top 10 only once in 10 career races at the track. Two of those results were runner-up finishes.

Eric Norris the 2002 West championship. He's the son of actor and martial arts legend Chuck Norris.

A Redondo Beach native, Norris also coordinates stunts and directs action scenes for TV shows and feature films. He has two series career starts, one at California in 2005.

Long Beach honors Leffler

A win for Jason Leffler at California would be a perfect ending to a trip that includes being honored in his hometown.

Earlier this week at Smooth's Sports Grille in Long Beach, Leffler's uniform and helmet was put on permanent display at the establishment making Leffler a "Legend of Long Beach" as a tribute to career and, of course, his roots in the city.

"I always look forward to coming home to California but this trip is going to be even more special for me," Leffler said. "[Owner] John Morris has made it a point to celebrate and pay tribute to other athletes from this area and I am honored to now be a part of that history."

Although Leffler captured a pole at California in 2004, he's only been able to register two top-10 finishes in eight races.

NASCAR Media contributed to this report.