Sunday (2/26) the NASCAR Cup Series raced the final time on the two-mile configuration of Auto Club Speedway. Kyle Busch was able to score the win in only his second race for Richard Childress Racing (RCR).

NASCAR sold the majority of the property that Auto Club Speedway occupies. The superspeedway will be converted to a short track on the remaining property owned by NASCAR. The construction of the new track will take more than a year to complete according to reports.

Kyle Busch left his long-time racing team of Joe Gibbs Racing following the end of the 2022 season. He moved to RCR for the 2023 season. It often takes time to find a grove with a new team, even for veteran race car drivers.

The Pala Casino 400 had plenty of side-by-side racing. There were 13 different drivers that exchanged the lead 28 times. Ross Chastain appeared to be the class of the field most of the race as he led a race high 91 laps in the 200-lap race. He was also the winner of stages one and two.

Kyle Busch appeared to be fast. However, he found himself in trouble early as he got caught speeding on pit row and had to go to the back of the pack for a re-start. He managed to race his way forward though. He was with the leaders and challenging for the lead as the race was winding down.

Kyle was able to get the lead following the final wave of pit stops. He then built a slightly comfortable cushion over the second-place car through the last 21 laps of the race. Kyle scored his fifth win at Auto Club Speedway in the Cup Series. It is his first win of the 2023 Cup Series season. Kyle also now holds the record by himself for the most consecutive seasons in the Cup Series with at least one win at 19 seasons.

Chase Elliott was able to claim the runner-up finish in the race. Ross Chastain held on for a third-place finish. See the complete race results for the Pala Casino 400 here.

After two races in the 2023 Cup Series season, Ross Chastain is the leader in the point standings. Joey Logano is in second and Alex Bowman is third. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings here.

Next on the schedule for the Cup Series is the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday, March 5th.

By: Buck Stevens