Busch 54 Monster Energy Fontana Nationwide Series Preview

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In: Xfinity Series News

The No. 54 Monster Energy team brings strong momentum into week five of the season at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Coming off their second 2013 win, at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, the Joe Gibbs Racing stable looks forward to the next intermediate-size track, one where they have seen much success. Kyle Busch has won the last three times he’s raced a JGR Camry at the two-mile venue, giving him a track record five wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS). Dating back to 2008, between Tony Stewart, Joey Logano and Busch the Joe Gibbs Racing NNS contingency has fielded the winner of this race eight straight years.

The most recent victory for Busch at the California track came in this same race event, two years ago – week five of the 2011 season. That win was accomplished from the seventh-place starting position, however, twice before the talented 27-year-old has won this west-coast event from the pole position, in 2010 and in 2008. Coincidentally, Adam Stevens won this race from the first-place starting spot with his former driver, Joey Logano, in the 2012 Fontana, Calif. NNS race, so Busch and Stevens are both comfortable in knowing how to set the car up for a strong performance there.

Kyle Busch, Driver of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

With two wins under your belt this year, it seems you are bonding well with the JGR team and crew chief Adam Stevens. What has been the key for both of you working together?

“Having Adam (Stevens) to work with as a crew chief — he’s really good. He’s learned from a lot of good peers at Joe Gibbs Racing and under some good tutelage — I think it pays dividends into his hands and where he can go in the future too. He has done a good job building this team and our communication and how we work together, it’s paying off.”

Adam Stevens, Crew Chief of the No. 54 NASCAR Nationwide Series Monster Energy Camry:

You are the past winner of this event, from the pole, how have you been successful at Auto Club Speedway?

“Auto Club is a great track. The corners are wide, so you can make multiple lines work. The surface is worn out and the tire Goodyear brings falls off a lot with laps… as a result tires are a huge deal in the race. It’s important to have the best tires possible on your car at the end of the race. There are multiple pavement seams in the track and quite a few bumps that will make our job difficult… but also make it fun.”

Congratulations on earning your second win of the season. Are you settling into a good rhythm now with this team and Kyle?

“Kyle and the Monster Energy team are off to a good start. We were a little off at Vegas, so this weekend will be a good test to see if we are making progress. JGR has a history of success at Auto Club Speedway and we have every intention of keeping that streak going!”

KBM/JGR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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