Pala Casino 400 picks, odds: Who will win the NASCAR Cup Series race at Fontana?

While last Sunday’s Daytona 500 marked the beginning of the 2023 NASCAR season, this weekend’s Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., will mark the end of an era.

With NASCAR dropping the 2-mile, D-shaped oval from its circuit next season, this Sunday’s Pala Casino 400 will be the last Cup Series race on the track’s current configuration and rough asphalt surface, which hasn’t been repaved like other older tracks on the schedule.

So winning the final race at the Fontana drivers have come to know and respect since its first Cup race in 1997 will be atop everyone’s mind.

“There will be a big emphasis on trying to win the last one,” said Ryan Blaney, according to the NASCAR Wire Service. “It’s a big, slick, multiple-lane race track. It’s bumpy and rough, and drivers love that stuff.”

Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Ford, should know; he has three top-10 finishes in six starts at Fontana.

FrontPageBets takes a look at some best bets and drivers to watch in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Fontana (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX).

Kyle Larson has won twice in his last five races at the Auto Club Speedway, including last year.

The driver of the No. 5 Chevy owns the fastest lap in track history, turning the 2-mile layout in 38.760 seconds during his 2017 win.

Chevrolet has dominated Fontana in recent memory, as the manufacturer has won four out of the last six races at the California track.

To go along with his three top-10 finishes in six career races, Blaney also has one top-five, which came in 2019.

He’s led laps in his last three races on D-shaped, two-miler, including 54 in 2020. Blaney finished eighth in last week’s Daytona 500.

The last Ford to win in Fontana was driven by Brad Keselowski in 2015.

Kyle Busch has won three out of the last nine races at Fontana, with his last coming in 2019.

Busch, who now drives the No. 8 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing after a long career with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 18 car, has four career wins at Auto Club Speedway and 10 top-three finishes in 23 career starts.

Gambling problem? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help.