California was good as gold! I'm not a big California fan, but this race was great! Everyone seemed to get that we wanted a race, not a continuation of the drama. California was the best season opener we could have asked for. Thank you, California.

            I was very happy with the pre-race festivities and was actually looking forward to the race, even though I knew it would most likely end in a Hendrick win. I quickly realized this race would not provide much seat time. The first twenty could've been the last the way they were driving. They were going fast and getting so close to the wall that you'd swear they hit it. This was defiantly an on your feet race.

As with Kevin Harvick, at Daytona, a weekend sweep would come into view again. That sweep came to fruition as Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag on Sunday. If this keeps up they'll have to change the old saying to, "Win on Saturday, win on Sunday,  breathe on Monday." Matt Kenseth owned California. There have been many whispers of a title for Kenseth; this is defiantly a good way to start. Last week, however, was not a good way to start, and I don't know if Kenseth can overcome that penalty. He has returned with a vengeance, though, and I have to appreciate their ability to rise above. The two I just knew would take the race? Well, Jeff Gordon came close and so did Jimmie Johnson, but the 1-2 became a 2-3, I am heartbroken, not.

On the subject of unleaded fuel, there really seemed to be no difference. The engines out of the DEI stable didn't take to well to California. Engine problems are not new for DEI, so the fuel may not have been a factor. California is notoriously hard on engines and it is possible that the fuel may have acerbated the problem for DEI. Using a new fuel mix requires some slight changes in calculations, if you don't get it right it can cause problems. These minor but critical adjustments can cause other problems to surface. I'm not sure that the fuel can be blamed, though; it didn't pose a problem for the majority.

As I look east, to Nevada, I know I will not sit much for that race either. Hey, if it scares Kurt Busch, it's gotta be fun! A toast to California, you were great. A toast to Matt Kenseth for giving his fans what they knew was coming. A toast to Jeff and Jimmie for continuing to dominate at California. Oh, and to Mark Martin, I think someone is trying to tell you it's not time to retire, again.