The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season began with a thrilling Daytona 500. On Sunday, the campaign continues on a track that has become known for producing exciting races.
The Pala Casino 400, the latest name for the race held at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., has become known for overtime finishes. Four of the past eight races have required extra laps, with the 2015 race needing a second overtime attempt.
Several drivers have found success on the 2-mile track over the years, none more than Kyle Busch. Rowdy is tied for the most wins in the Pala Casino 400, with victories in 2013, 2014 and 2019.
Last year, Kyle Larson came out on top in a race that featured 12 caution flags. Larson took a late lead and then held off a late push by Austin Dillon to win in his home state.
MORE: Watch the Pala Casino 400 live with fuboTV (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live results from the Pala Casino 400. Follow for updates and highlights from the NASCAR Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway.
Pala Casino 400 live updates, highlights from 2023 race
(All times Eastern)
6:26 p.m.: Chastain and Busch the clear favorites, continuing to make their presence felt on the two mile track of Auto Club Speedway.
5:57 p.m.: Chastain takes Stage 2, keeping in line with his strong showing today.
5:55 p.m.: Keselowski, who was involved in that early Stage 2 wreck, has chipped away, finding himself in the top ten and on pact to nab a stage point.
5:50 p.m.: With Chastain carrying a fairly sizable lead as we approach the end of Stage 2, looks like drivers further down the pack are hoping to make up so ground. Busch falling off a bit, with the likes of Logano and Kevin Harvick getting dangerously close to the No. 8 car.
5:46 p.m.: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. makes contact with the inside wall…twice. That’ll be a concern for his team’s spotter.
5:39 p.m.: Busch keeping things simple in second-place, maintaining a bit of distance between the leader. He’s also getting faster, with his last lap being a half second faster than Chastain’s. A lot to be excited for if you’re a Kyle Busch stan.
5:35 p.m.: After the major wreck, things have really started looking different at Auto Club Speedway. Bowman and Harvick swap positions in seventh- and eighth-place.
Chastain still cruising early, having held the lead for 40 of the race’s 101 laps.
5:32 p.m.: After the race restart, it’s Denny Hamlin sitting out in front, holding a half-second edge over Chastain. Over half of Stage 2 left, so plenty of time for additional reshuffling.
5:20 p.m.: Wreck on the restart. Keselowski, Bell, Almirola, Reddick and Ty Dillon among those involved. Gnarly stuff there.
Big crash on the restart in Fontana. Here’s what happened: https://t.co/OCeKqttGOE pic.twitter.com/bM9r6OE0v2
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 26, 2023
4:53 p.m.: Busch makes some good ground on pit road. Suarez, however, will be docked after being adjudged to have entered the area too fast.
4:48 p.m.: And there it is…Chastain takes the green. Good run by the No. 1 car, especially early. Things got a little tighter towards the end of the frame, but Chastain was able to make these work come the end of the period.
4:46 p.m.: Chastain looking more and more likely to cruise to the green flag in Stage 1. Track has taken most a few bumps and bruises, but a solid opening stage from the Championship 4 contender, who looks poised to nab his second stage win of the nascent season.
4:45 p.m.: After a series of difficulties to start the race, Kyle Busch is up to 13th, 19 spots higher than where he was to start the day.
4:40 p.m.: Chastain holding firms the top gem at the Golden State. He’s being trailed by Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney with just six laps to go before the end of Stage 1. Solid start for the Trackhouse Racing star.
4:27 p.m.: Keselowski receies a caution after experiencing some car troubles on the track. That’s not what you want to see.
4:18 p.m.: Noah Gragson gives out a little love tap as you do. We’ve just reached the halfway mark of Stage 1 and it’s Ryan Blaey and Joey Logano standing out the tmost.
4:12 p.m.: Back under green and the tsmophere is tense at Auto Club Speedway. Ross Chastain currently leading from the the, a few ticks in front of Team Penske’s Joey Logano.
4:03 p.m.: Competition caution waved after Lap 17. That should help Larson out, who will have more time to get his car checked out in the meantime.
4:00 p.m.: Kyle Larson, the reigning winner at the California race, is headed to pit road after appearing to have some engine trouble early in the race.
3:58 p.m.: William Byron already smoking the rest of the competition. He and Martin Truex Jr. are well in front of his opposition drivers.
3:55 p.m.: Bowman sitting in pretty position through Lap 6. He’s got a sizable advantage over second-place Christopher Bell.
3:52 p.m.: Already three wide as we wrap up our first lap of the day. Alex Bowman sits on top, although there’s already plenty of jostling around the leaderboard.
3:50 p.m.: Green flag at and about at Auto Club Speedway/ The Pala Casino 400 is underway!
2:55 p.m.: Here’s today’s starting lineup. Christopher Bell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leading the line in the front row.
2:47 p.m.: Despite some chilly weather (at least by California standards), looks like it will be a full house at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday.
It’s official…we’ve SOLD OUT one more time for the #PalaCasino400! pic.twitter.com/K8zv5AGqo0
— Auto Club Speedway (@AutoClubSpdwy) February 26, 2023
Pala Casino 400 starting lineup
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 3. | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 4. | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 5. | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 6. | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 7. | Daniel Suárez | 99 | TrackHouse Racing |
| 8. | Ross Chastain | 1 | TrackHouse Racing |
| 9. | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 10. | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 11. | Cody Ware | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 12. | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 13. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 14. | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 15. | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 16. | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 17. | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 18. | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 19. | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 20. | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 21. | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 22. | JJ Yeley | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 23. | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 24. | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 25. | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 26. | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 27. | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 28. | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 29 | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 30. | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 31. | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 32. | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 33. | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 34. | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 35. | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 36. | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
Pala Casino 400 start time
- Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
The Pala Casino 400 is listed to start at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) in Fontana, Calif., but with pre-race festivities, the green flag is scheduled to wave at 3:47 p.m. ET (12:47 p.m. PT).