The 2023 Pala Casino 400 was the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series season, held on February 26, 2023, at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. This historic event marked the final race on the track's 2-mile D-shaped oval before its reconstruction into a half-mile short track.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 delivered a historic moment in NASCAR history as Kyle Busch captured his first victory with Richard Childress Racing while simultaneously closing the chapter on Auto Club Speedway's 2-mile configuration. Held on February 26, 2023, this race represented more than just the second event of the Cup Series season—it marked the end of an era for one of NASCAR's most distinctive superspeedways.
Auto Club Speedway, formerly known as California Speedway, had been a fixture on the NASCAR calendar since 1997. The 2-mile, low-banked, D-shaped oval in Fontana, California, provided unique racing characteristics that challenged drivers and teams with its wide surface and multiple racing grooves. The track's location near the former sites of Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside International Raceway connected it to California's rich motorsports heritage.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 brought together 36 competitors for 200 laps of intense competition. With the knowledge that this would be the final race on the superspeedway configuration before reconstruction into a half-mile short track, drivers approached the event with added determination to leave their mark on the track's legacy.
Christopher Bell earned the pole position with a time of 4.250 seconds, determined through NASCAR's pandemic formula rather than traditional qualifying. This system used a combination of previous race finishes, owner points standings, and fastest laps to set the starting grid. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. joined Bell on the front row, while Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, and Chris Buescher rounded out the top five starting positions.
Kyle Busch, who would ultimately win the race, started from the 21st position, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing where track position at the start doesn't guarantee the final outcome. The diverse starting lineup featured drivers from all major teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Richard Childress Racing.
The race began under favorable weather conditions at Auto Club Speedway. The California sunshine provided ideal racing temperatures, allowing teams to execute their planned strategies without weather-related complications. Track temperatures remained consistent throughout the event, enabling predictable tire wear patterns that crew chiefs could factor into their pit stop strategies.
The opening stage of the Pala Casino 400 set the tone for an afternoon of competitive racing. Alex Bowman quickly established himself as a contender, leading 15 consecutive laps early in the race. However, Ross Chastain emerged as the dominant force in Stage 1, taking the lead on lap 18 and ultimately winning the stage at lap 65 with a 0.326-second margin over Ryan Blaney.
The first stage featured multiple lead changes as drivers tested different racing lines on the wide Auto Club Speedway surface. Ryan Blaney led 16 laps during this segment, showcasing the speed of his Team Penske Ford. The stage concluded under caution on lap 66, allowing teams to make crucial adjustments and strategic decisions for the middle portion of the race.
Ross Chastain's Stage 1 victory earned him valuable playoff points while demonstrating the speed of his Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. The stage win was part of a dominant performance that would see Chastain lead a race-high 91 laps throughout the afternoon. Ryan Blaney's second-place stage finish highlighted his competitive pace, while other contenders positioned themselves for the battles ahead.
Ross Chastain maintained his commanding presence in Stage 2, leading 34 consecutive laps and winning the stage at lap 130 with a substantial 6.249-second advantage over Kyle Busch. This stage victory further solidified Chastain's control of the race and added more playoff points to his tally. The Trackhouse Racing driver's ability to manage his equipment while maintaining speed impressed observers and competitors alike.
The second stage saw strategic variations as teams experimented with different pit stop sequences. Some crews opted for two-tire changes to gain track position, while others committed to four-tire stops for better long-run speed. These decisions would prove critical as the race entered its final stage with championship implications on the line.
Stage 2 witnessed several significant incidents that reshaped the competitive landscape. A major accident on lap 82 involved multiple contenders, including AJ Allmendinger, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece, and Christopher Bell. Bell, who had started from the pole position, saw his race end after completing just 88 laps. This incident eliminated several potential winners and elevated the importance of survival alongside speed.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 followed NASCAR's three-stage format, with stages ending at laps 65, 130, and 200. The race featured a competitive field of 36 drivers competing on the 2-mile low-banked D-shaped oval, with qualifying determined by the pandemic formula that set the starting lineup based on previous performance metrics.
The event showcased intense strategic battles with eight caution periods and multiple pit stop strategies. Teams had to balance tire management, fuel conservation, and track position throughout the 400-mile distance, making crew chief decisions critical to success on the challenging California surface.
The final stage transformed into a strategic chess match as teams balanced fuel mileage, tire wear, and track position. Kyle Busch, who had been quietly working his way forward throughout the race, emerged as the driver to beat in the closing laps. His Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet showed exceptional speed, and his crew executed flawless pit stops that positioned him for the victory.
Joey Logano took the lead on lap 133 following the stage break, but the race remained fluid with multiple drivers cycling through the top position. Denny Hamlin led 11 laps during this segment, while Kevin Harvick and Michael McDowell also spent time at the front. The race featured eight caution periods total, creating numerous restart scenarios that tested driver skill and nerve.
As the laps wound down, Kyle Busch demonstrated why he's considered one of NASCAR's elite drivers. He led 27 laps total, including the most critical ones at the end. His ability to manage restarts, protect his position, and maintain tire performance proved decisive. Chase Elliott mounted a strong challenge in the closing stages, but Busch held him off to cross the finish line with a 2.998-second margin of victory.
Kyle Busch's victory marked a significant milestone as his first win with Richard Childress Racing after spending 15 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing. The win earned him 49 points, including five playoff points, establishing him as an early championship contender. Chase Elliott finished second, followed by Ross Chastain in third despite leading the most laps. Daniel Suarez and Kevin Harvick completed the top five.
The race saw 28 lead changes among 13 different leaders, demonstrating the competitive balance of the 2023 Cup Series field. The event lasted 3 hours and 8 minutes, with an average speed of 175.725 mph. Of the 36 starters, 30 were running at the finish, with six drivers involved in accidents or mechanical failures.
Ross Chastain's 91 laps led and two stage wins earned him 54 total points, the highest of any driver despite finishing third. His Trackhouse Racing team showed they would be a force throughout the season. Denny Hamlin led 11 laps and finished sixth, while Brad Keselowski's seventh-place finish came after leading two laps. Alex Bowman led 17 laps and finished eighth, demonstrating Hendrick Motorsports' overall strength.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 will be remembered as the final NASCAR Cup Series race on Auto Club Speedway's 2-mile configuration. The track, which opened in 1997, hosted 26 years of Cup Series racing on the superspeedway layout. Following this event, the facility closed for reconstruction into a half-mile short track, fundamentally changing the racing product and fan experience.
Auto Club Speedway's 2-mile oval was unique in NASCAR's schedule, offering characteristics different from other superspeedways. The low banking and wide surface created multiple racing grooves and allowed for side-by-side competition. The track's location in Southern California made it a key market for NASCAR, serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area and connecting the sport to a diverse, growing fanbase.
Over its 26-year history on the 2-mile configuration, Auto Club Speedway produced memorable moments and champions. The facility's proximity to major highways and its Metrolink station made it accessible to fans throughout Southern California. As the only International Speedway Corporation track with sold naming rights, it represented a successful business model for facility operations.
Fox Sports provided television coverage of the 2023 Pala Casino 400, with Mike Joy handling play-by-play duties alongside analysts Clint Bowyer and Tony Stewart. The broadcast team captured the drama of the final race on the 2-mile configuration while providing historical context about the track's legacy. Their coverage highlighted key strategic decisions, driver battles, and the emotional significance of the event.
Motor Racing Network delivered radio coverage with Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle, and Todd Gordon in the booth. Turn announcers Dan Hubbard and Kyle Rickey provided additional perspective from their positions around the track. The comprehensive media coverage ensured fans could follow every moment of this historic race through their preferred platform.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 delivered on its promise of historic significance and competitive racing. Kyle Busch's first victory with Richard Childress Racing provided a compelling storyline while closing the book on Auto Club Speedway's superspeedway era. The race featured everything NASCAR fans appreciate: multiple leaders, strategic variety, dramatic incidents, and a worthy champion.
As the Cup Series moved forward from Fontana, the results established early season narratives. Kyle Busch proved his move to RCR could yield championship results. Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing announced themselves as consistent contenders. The race set the stage for a competitive 2023 season while honoring the legacy of one of NASCAR's most distinctive venues.
Kyle Busch won the 2023 Pala Casino 400, earning his first victory with Richard Childress Racing. He finished 2.998 seconds ahead of Chase Elliott after leading 27 laps.
This race was the final NASCAR Cup Series event on Auto Club Speedway's 2-mile configuration before the track closed for reconstruction into a half-mile short track, ending 26 years of superspeedway racing at the facility.
Ross Chastain led a race-high 91 laps and won both Stage 1 and Stage 2, earning 54 total points despite finishing third overall.
Kyle Busch started the race from the 21st position, demonstrating his ability to drive through the field to capture the victory.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 featured 28 lead changes among 13 different leaders, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
Christopher Bell earned the pole position with a time of 4.250 seconds, determined through NASCAR's pandemic formula rather than traditional qualifying.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 was supported by key partners who contributed to the success of this historic NASCAR Cup Series event.
Kyle Busch's victory in the 2023 Pala Casino 400 immediately established him as a legitimate championship contender in his first season with Richard Childress Racing, demonstrating that his move from Joe Gibbs Racing could yield title-winning results.
Despite finishing third, Ross Chastain delivered the most dominant individual performance of the race, leading 91 laps and winning both Stage 1 and Stage 2 to earn maximum stage points for Trackhouse Racing.
Kyle Busch won the 2023 Pala Casino 400, earning his first victory with Richard Childress Racing in just his second start with the team.
The 2023 Pala Casino 400 marked the last NASCAR Cup Series race on Auto Club Speedway's 2-mile oval before track reconstruction begins.
Ross Chastain led 91 laps and won both stages but finished third, earning the most total points of any driver in the race.