Back-to-Back: Kenseth Wins California

Matt Kenseth held off Jeff Gordon through the final 20 laps to win the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway, kicking off the NASCAR Sprint Cup season with two consecutive wins.  Kenseth, who won last week's rain-shortened Daytona 500, beat Gordon to the checkered flag by just over a second.

Jimmie Johnson and Gordon dominated the first half of the race, but Kenseth's team consistently got their driver out of pit road first and by the time nightfall came Kenseth was the man to beat.  His teammate, Greg Biffle, sported a solid car most of the night but overshot his pit stall on the final round of stops, pinning the air hose under the front wheels.  The mistake cost him several positions, but he rebounded to finish fourth.

Kyle Busch, after winning two NASCAR races Saturday, had to settle for third place Sunday night.  His brother Kurt rounded out the top five.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired with engine troubles 40 laps from the end.  Shortly thereafter, Kevin Harvick blew his engine and crashed in turn one.  The race was slowed on several occasions by rain showers.

Matt Kenseth is only the fourth driver to back up a Daytona 500 win with a second consecutive victory.  Richard Petty did it in 1973 (Richmond), Cale Yarborough in 1977 (also at Richmond) and Gordon in 1997 (Rockingham).

The tour resumes next week at the 1.5-mile tri-oval in Las Vegas, NV.