NASCAR gets Californicated

With two races left before the start of the Chase, NASCAR makes it second stop this season at the Auto Club Speedway in California. This, along with next week's race at Richmond, will make or break Chase chances for several teams. Here are my top picks to win this weekend:

Kyle Busch, No. 18 M&M's Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
Last week: 2nd place finish in the Sharpie 500
Career at Auto Club Speedway: 10.2 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 3 top 5's, 6 top 10's
Why he could win: He has won everywhere else, why not? He does have a win here, his first career Sprint Cup win in fact.

Carl Edwards, No. 99 Aflac Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)
Last Week: Won the Sharpie 500
Career at Auto Club Speedway: 6.8 Avg. Finish, 1 win, 6 top 5's, 7 top 10's
Why he could win: He has won everywhere else, why not? Edwards won the spring race which automatically makes him a serious threat to win this weekend.

Matt Kenseth, No. 17 R+L Carriers Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 9th place finish in the Sharpie 500
Career at Auto Club Speedway: 9.9 Avg. Finish, 2 wins, 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's
Why he could win: In the last six races at the Auto Club Speedway Matt Kenseth hasn't finished worse then 7th. If he doesn't win on Sunday i'd bet my bottom dollar he'll finish no worse then 7th.

My underdog this week is another Roush Fenway driver...

Jamie McMurray, No. 26 Crown Royal Ford (Roush Fenway Racing)
Last Week: 12th place finish in the Sharpie 500
Career at Auto Club Speedway: 13.7 Avg. Finish, 3 top 5's, 5 top 10's
Why he could win: If anyone could pull off a surprise win I suspect McMurray could be the man to do it. Historically he has always seemed to have a pretty good car here.