• Home
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Social Media News
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Thunderbolt Social Media
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Dangerous Cupcake Lifestyle

  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Food & Wine
    • Wine
    • Cupcakes
  • Disney & Marvel
    • Disney
    • Marvel
  • Crafts, Cars & Cool Things
    • Crafts
    • Cars
    • Dogs
    • Cool Things
    • Technology
  • Home & Life
You are here: Home / Cars / Auto Club 400 Photos: View from Auto Club Speedway Stands & Pit Road

Auto Club 400 Photos: View from Auto Club Speedway Stands & Pit Road

March 12, 2020 By Donna Biroczky Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Last week’s Auto Club 400 was a race for the ages. It was Jimmie Johnson’s last Auto Club Speedway start and offered a five-wide salute on the last lap before the start of the race. Keep reading to see some of my Auto Club 400 photos and get a feel for what the NASCAR experience is like at my home track!

NASCAR auto club 400 photos

But first, a selfie…no, not really, but a track selfie. This place has been our home track for a long time, and we were there on its opening day back in 1997. Fans talk about repaving it but drivers say they love it just as it is, and this year’s race was another testament to it being just a fun place to watch good racing.

Check out our day at the 2020 Auto Club 400 in photos.

auto club speedway fontana

This year, I was fortunate enough to be able to get into the pits as press and get some amazing photos. I found my little corner by the barrier and stayed out of the way of the big outlets, but thanks to a good zoom lens and some very kind photographers giving me a few pointers, I got some wonderful shots. I also got the bug to do this every year. It was surreal, coming from long-time fan status to being so close to the action.

ryan blaney at auto club speedway

Saturday we typically spend down on pit road checking out our driver’s pit box, watching practice and hanging by Autograph Alley. This year wasn’t much different, as the husband stayed over the alley to watch while I was in the pits getting pictures of the Sprint Cup cars as they were pushed out in preparation to qualify for Sunday’s Auto Club 400.

auto club 400 photos

Many of the drivers walked out a few minutes after their cars, though a few came out a different place, like Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex and Jimmie Johnson. I did get some great photos of Jimmie by his car. (His wife, Chandra and their two little girls were the honorary starters, as he’s a Californian from El Cajon.)

jimmie johnson at auto club 400

Xfinity drivers were also wandering around, as they’d been out on the track earlier.

We were longtime Jamie McMurray fans, and after he retired, we spent a year unsure of who to claim as ‘our driver.’ If you’re a fan of any other sport, you understand how that goes; you have a favorite team and you root for them. Same with NASCAR drivers. You pick one and follow him and while you love the sport you’d watch regardless, and you still watch if your driver has a car issue and heads to the garage, but having a driver to call your own makes it even more real. The personal investment in the race is stronger.

Sporting a driver’s hat, t-shirt, jacket, it all just makes it that much more exciting. After watching last season without making a decision, we headed to the 21’s hauler at Auto Club Speedway and bought Matt DiBenedetto gear. The hat, the shirts, it felt great to watch Sunday’s race in the stands in full rep mode.

matt dibenedetto auto club 400

The five-wide salute on Sunday was something else. The whole race is a blast to watch — the smell of rubber, the sound of squealing tires and revving engines, the strategy of pits and gas and tire changes — but right before it starts, just after the jets have flown over following the National Anthem, the anticipation builds as the cars start to get into formation for the beginning of the race. Five-wide is just a sight to see.

five wide salute auto club 400 photos

My Auto Club 400 photos are a little all over the map, but I did want to be sure to get a good one of Jimmie Johnson’s #48 coming out for qualifying.

jimmie johnson 48 car nascar

Here are a few other random photos, including one of the Xfinity polesitter, Brandon Jones. It’s great to see the younger generation moving forward in NASCAR, knowing quite of few of these guys will be moving up into Cup at some point.

brandon jones polesitter xfinity

Thanks again, Auto Club Speedway, for the opportunity to be on the other side of the barrier. I hope to encourage other SoCal locals to give a NASCAR race a shot. If you’re not sure, try an Xfinity race; the tickets are cheaper and there is often General Admission available, so you can get them for next to nothing and move around if you find you want to try a different perspective.

NASCAR races are loud, there are a lot of people, and it can take a little bit to learn some of the terms, but I’ve said forever, and I’ll say it again, that NASCAR fans are some of the kindest and generous people you’ll ever meet. They come together as a community — tailgating in the lot or sitting by each other in the stands — like no other.

One funny story from our early Sunday morning cornhole session after the gates open: a very large, old motorhome pulled in and stopped next to us. “Do I just park this thing anywhere?” Uhm, I don’t know? I really am unclear as to the RV rules, sorry! The RV was FULL of people, faces pressed to the windows, every single one of them wearing a big smile. THAT is NASCAR.

I did wonder why they asked us, until later I realized I was wearing a NASCAR hoodie I’d purchased at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year. Oh. No, I’m not an official by any means, but those smiling faces just made our day.

jimmie johnson mural auto club speedway

If you’re a Jimmie Johnson fan — or not — you need to look for the new mural painted in his honor that debuted at the 2020 Auto Club 400. It looks remarkably like him.

auto club speedway mural

The mural by the backside of the tunnel, coming from infield to the outside lots/exits is also pretty rad. It wasn’t there just a few weeks ago when I took this picture of my beast there on the way out from another event I was covering.

auto club speedway

I hope you enjoyed my Auto Club 400 photos! And Auto Club Speedway, I’m glad you’re my home track.

Tweet
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Filed Under: Cars

Previous Post: « Fontana Speedway: Auto Club Speedway 2020 Walk of Fame
Next Post: Our Night at the Red Carpet Dolby Theater Mulan Premiere »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

dangerous cupcake lifestyle club 33 profile
I’m Donna, and I’m not a mommy blogger.
I’m a Gen X mom of four, a Marvel geek and creator of Dangerous Cupcake, a Southern California lifestyle blog dedicated to life after the kids grow up. As my kids enter different stages of their lives, I get to do the same, having fun, loving Disney, watching Marvel, and not letting my age define anything. Phase 2 of life is pretty amazing, and midlife isn’t a bad word. Join me in changing focus and enjoying life during our next adventure, without totally starting over. However you do it, life is short, live a little dangerously.
Donna@DangerousCupcakeLifestyle.com

We are an Amazon affiliate, which means some Amazon links you click may be our affiliate links. In that case, we may make some money IF you purchase using those links or other affiliate links.
We appreciate you!

STUFF WE WRITE ABOUT

Footer

dangerouscupcakelifestyle

Gen X mom breaking the mold of midlife.
Travel. Food. Wine. 🥃 🐾
NASCAR. Disney. Marvel.
Fontana | DM to collab

Donna | Southern California Lifestyle Blogger
As we pulled up to our hotel in Paris, our driver As we pulled up to our hotel in Paris, our driver pulled over briefly on this bridge across the river Seine. She explained to us that it was a very popular place for people to take wedding and engagement photos. We got lucky, traffic cleared for a moment and I snapped this shot of a bride and groom in their honeymoon car, just about to drive away. It was a beautiful first real view of this city of romance. I want to go back again, just to wander and eat and try more wines, no real agenda beyond walking and taking it all in. 

#paris #parisfrance #eiffeltower #visitparis #france #visitfrance #travel #travelerlife #travelblog #travelblogger #midlife #midlifeblogger #cityofromance #cityoflight #riverseine #seineriver #pontdebirhakeim #parisbridge #parisskyline
Our Alaskan cruise was full of amazing memories, b Our Alaskan cruise was full of amazing memories, but this day spent kayaking on Chilkoot Lake was incredible. Cold, deep water. Snowy peaks. Glacier fed. Slightly terrifying but once we got in the groove, we kicked ass. 10/10 if you take an Alaskan passage cruise. 

#alaska #alaskatravel #alaskancruise #cruisealaska #cruises #cruise #travelblogger #travelblog #adventure #chilkoot #chilkootlake #hainesalaska @royalcaribbean #royalcaribbeancruise #royalcaribbean #kayak #kayakalaska #kayaking #kayakers #lakekayaking #cruiselife
With the recent release of Guardians of the Galaxy With the recent release of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 in theaters, the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure is even more relevant to me when I visit the park. Last week, the morning after I saw the movie, I was at my happy place and the first ride I went on was Mission Breakout. I got a kick out of the scene where Drax punches the animal in the face, and once you’ve seen GOTG3, you’ll get why. I considered going on it again, but I was on the Carthay wait list (highly recommended if you don’t have a reservation, particularly if there’s only 1-2 in your party) and I got my text to return within 15 minutes for my seat…and I really wanted the bao buns. I did head back later in the evening to watch a Marvel show with Black Widow by the Quinjet. Never saw Mantis though, was really hoping to get a picture with her. 

Don’t skip the gift store on your way off the ride. There’s a whole new batch of GOTGVol3 gear AND new Loki stuff! The purple Loki hoodie had just come out and I grabbed one before they sold out, even though I can’t imagine when I’ll wear it next here in SoCal. With the show coming out on October 6, I’ll wear it…with the a/c on if I need to. There’s also some new stuff in the Studio 17 store — if you haven’t visited it, it’s full of photo opps and gear for all your Marvel needs. 

@disneyland #disneyland #disneycaliforniaadventure #disneycalifornia #avengerscampus #gotgvol3 #gotg3 #gotg #guardiansofthegalaxyvol3 #guardiansofthegalaxy #marvel @marvelstudios @marvel @guardiansofthegalaxy #quinjet #disney #marvelstudios #rocket #missionbreakout #visitanaheim #anaheim #disneyblogger #disneyblog #disneycreators #marvelblog #starlord #peterquill #nebula #marvelmovies #marvelmovie
Disney’s Toontown has had a major redo recently, Disney’s Toontown has had a major redo recently, removing its iconic trolley — a photo opp of many memories with my Toontown-playing son — and adding a new ride, Mickey’s Runaway Railway. It’s a mix of animation, motion and music, and I LOVED it. Come along with me on a quick tour of the line-waiting area and part of the ride. Don’t worry, I didn’t share too much so you will still have plenty of surprises!  Say what you will about Disney-loving adults, I don’t care, I waited 35 minutes to ride this and I’ll do it again next time..and the next…and the next. Only warning: hold onto your hats, and ears! The ride is safe and smooth but there are some quick movements that may catch you off guard.

@disneyland #disneyland #disney #mickeymouse #toontown #disneytoontown #mickeystoontown #disneystoontown #disneyadult #disneyadults #disneyride #disneyrides #disneycalifornia #anaheim #anaheimcalifornia #magickey #disneymom #disneycreator
Getting a box from Melissa’s Produce is what I i Getting a box from Melissa’s Produce is what I imagine it would feel like when you’re a contestant on Chopped. What’s in the box? What can I make with it? Except without the pressure to get it all done in 45 minutes or less. Each box makes me be creative, and each item I’ve never tried pushes me a little out of my comfort zone to try new things. Whatever it is, we have so much fun! This box included Blue Potatoes, Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, Dragon Fruit (Yellow), Ojai Pixie Tangerines, Rhubarb, and a big bag of Fava Beans….which may be my favorite, because shelling them is relaxing and you can’t have too many fava beans and Chianti jokes.

Thank you @MelissasProduce! I’ll be sharing recipes soon. I’m thinking up ideas and will be making them all this week to post here in a reel or on my website. I’ll update later! 

@MelissasProduce #recipes #freshproduce #OjaiPixies #OjaiPixieTangerines #Dragonfruit #rhubarb #favabeans #chianti #heirloomtomatoes #springproduce #foodie #foodblogger #foodblog #recipe #recipes #fruitrecipes #bluepotatoes #potatorecipe #melissasproduce
Arrrrrrr attire was on point at yesterday’s Disn Arrrrrrr attire was on point at yesterday’s Disney-themed Kentucky Derby party. 

#kentuckyderby #kentuckyderbyfashion #derbyday #kentuckyderbyparty #kentuckyderbyparty2023 #disneythemed #pirates #disneypirates #disneypirate #piratesofthecaribbean #deadmentellnotales #derbyhats #derbyhat #derbyparty #disneyderby #kentuckyderbyhats #kentuckyderbystyle
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Life is short, so it should never be boring. Dangerous Cupcake Lifestyle is all about enjoying life, specifically midlife, finding yourself after your kids grow up and above all, keeping it real. Live dangerously. We'd love to hear from you -- let's work together!

Copyright © 2023 Dangerous Cupcake and Thunderbolt Social Media

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT