Chase Elliott expects tire wear to be an issue at Fontana

Chase Elliott is 25/1 to win at Fontana on Sunday.

Chase Elliott on expectations for Auto Club Speedway:
“The surface is obviously still old there, so, I would have to assume tire wear is still going to play a factor at some point in the run. I think everybody is just going to be balancing the tire wear versus the speed and how much drag you can get out of your car to go fast.”

Elliott on traveling during the West Coast swing:
“I usually like to stay out. I lived in Colorado for a couple of years, so I enjoy going back there and kind of commuting from there instead of coming all the way back. It’s a lot of travel and I’ve done it both ways and your schedule doesn’t always work out, but when you can stay, I think it’s nice.”


WO-MILE PROWESS: This weekend, Chase Elliott is set to make his fourth NASCAR Cup Series start at Auto Club Speedway (ACS) and his 10th Cup start at a two-mile track (ACS and Michigan International Speedway). In his nine previous Cup Series starts on two-mile tracks, Elliott has garnered three top-five finishes – all runner-up results – and eight top-10 finishes. He also averages a starting position of 12.9 and finishing position of 7.1 at two-mile tracks.

GUSTAFSON AT ACS: No. 9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson is set to call his 21st race from atop the pit box at the Fontana, California, track this weekend. In his previous 20 starts, Gustafson has one win, four top-five finishes and 11 top-10s. His sole win at ACS came in Sept. 2005 with Kyle Busch – his first career victory as a crew chief. In his three Cup starts with Elliott at the track, Gustafson averages a starting position of 17.3 and finishing position of 10.7.

CALIFORNIA IS HOME: No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS rear-tire changer Chad Avrit will compete at his home track in the Golden State this weekend. Avrit grew up in El Centro, California, and was an avid surfer before moving to Mooresville, North Carolina, to pursue a career in motor sports. When not at the track, he enjoys spending time with his two sons, hanging out on the lake and mountain biking.

LAST TIME IN CALI: During last season’s visit to ACS, the No. 9 team started 31st, but Elliott quickly moved through the pack and broke into the top 20 by Lap 12. The NAPA AUTO PARTS team continued to gain positions as Elliott climbed inside the top 10 with 12 laps remaining in the opening stage. At the conclusion of Stage 1, Elliott was scored 14th. During the stage break, the No. 9 pit crew gained five positions with quick work on pit road that moved Elliott back into the top 10 for the beginning of Stage 2. The driver was shuffled back on the restart to 18th, but with another quick stop he regained his position in the top 15. Over the course of the final run, Elliott slipped back several positions to 16th, where he’d ultimately end the race.

CHECK OUT THOSE HATS: This weekend in California, the No. 9 team will wear special, limited-edition NAPA hats at the racetrack. The hats are part of NAPA AUTO PARTS' March in-store promotion. In the month of March, when customers spend $25 in store they will receive the No. 9 NAPA Racing/Chase Elliott hat, while supplies last.