NASCAR at Fontana results: Kyle Busch earns first win with Richard Childress Racing at Pala Casino 400

David Suggs

NASCAR at Fontana results: Kyle Busch earns first win with Richard Childress Racing at Pala Casino 400 image

Kyle Busch is one of NASCAR's great entertainers. So it was only right that he capped off his first win of the 2023 season with a bow.

Busch, who was NASCAR's highest-profile free agent in 2022, captured his first checkered flag as a driver for Richard Childress Racing with a win in the Pala Casino 400 on Sunday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. The future Hall of Famer took the lead from Stage 1 and 2 winner Ross Chastain and then cruised to a comfortable victory over Hendrick Motorsports' Chase Elliott.

One week removed from his showing in the Daytona 500, a race he very well could have won had it not been for late wrecks, Busch was locked in from the green flag. A Stage 2 wreck that knocked out a handful of drivers made the race that much more winnable for Rowdy.

Busch got a slight scare from Michael McDowell, who opted to stay out rather than pit in the hope of getting a caution late in Stage 3. That caution flag wouldn't be waved, though, and once Busch flew past the No. 34 car, it was only a matter of time before he ended up in victory lane with his new team.

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"Sometimes you do [doubt yourself]. You kind of get down on it and you wonder what's going on and what's happening," the former Joe Gibbs Racing standout said post-race. "You put yourself in a different situation and you're able to come out here and reward your guys. . . . It's awesome to be able to reward them."

The Sporting News tracked live results from the Pala Casino 400, that last NASCAR Cup Series race to be run on the 2-mile track at Auto Club Speedway. (The facility is set to undergo a major renovation, with the track being greatly shortened.) Follow below for the udpates and highlights.

Pala Casino 400 live updates, highlights from 2023 race

(All times Eastern)

7 p.m.: Kyle Busch takes the checkered flag at Fontana!

6:58 p.m.: Three laps left. Busch's lead over Elliott back in nearly four seconds. All RCR needs is a clean finish and things will be good to go.

6:56 p.m.: Busch starting to encounter more traffic up the field. Keselowski took a swipe at  the wall, making fairly hard contact with the wall. You have to imagine Richard Childress breathed a sigh of relief that nothing more came from that collision.

6:54 p.m.: Elliott's lap times are getting increasingly faster, especially when compared with Busch. The No. 9 car has cut into Busch's lead each of the past few laps. There might not be enough time left, though; just seven laps remain.

6:52 p.m.: While Busch is holds a fairly sizable edge, he did get tight on the wall in the Turn 3. Might have even made contact trying to pass Justin Haley. All of this is to say, there's still plenty of time left in today's race.

6:50 p.m.: Busch in really good shape with 13 laps remaining. The future Hall of Famer looks poised to nab his first victory as a member of Richard Childress Racing. He holds a four second edge over Elliott.

6:46 p.m.: Busch takes the lead. Elliott and Chastain not too far behind. McDowell falling fast; he's dropped to three seconds behind Busch for second-place.

6:44 p.m.: McDowell has the lead at the moment. However, his tires have 25 laps worth of additional wear compared to Busch. Unless a caution flag is waved, the No. 34 car could be in trouble.

6:43 p.m.: Wallace done for the day. Looks like his engine overheated, spelling an end to his Fontana dreams.

6:41 p.m.: Burton into pit road. That leaves just McDowell and Gragson on the track and drivers yet to pit in Stage 3. Things could get very interesting if a caution flag were to be waved.

6:37 p.m.: Unsurprisingly, Logano's trip to pit road sparks a wave of drivers to follow suit. Just four drivers — Harrison Burton, Michael McDowell, Noah Gragson and Bubba Wallace — have yet to pit.

6:32 p.m.: With 35 laps remaining, we're in that weird limbo where drivers have to figure out whether they want to pit or not. Seems like the likely option is to split the last few laps. With Logano headed to pit road, it seems Busch and Chastain are on their way down to the pits, as well.

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.

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.

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).

What channel is the Pala Casino 400 on?

  • TV channel: Fox (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
  • Live stream: FoxSports.com, fuboTV

Fox will handle the broadcast for this year's Pala Casino 400. Canadian viewers can find the race on TSN5.

Mike Joy (lap-by-lap) and Clint Bowyer (analyst) will call the race from the booth. They'll be joined by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, who will serve as a guest analyst.

Race fans can also find the action on FoxSports.com, the Fox Sports App, or fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

NASCAR schedule 2023

(All times Eastern)

Date Race Track Start time (ET) TV Radio Winner
Feb. 19 Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway 2:30 p.m. Fox MRN Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Feb. 26 Pala Casino 400 Auto Club Speedway 3:30 p.m. Fox MRN  
March 5 

Pennzoil 400

Las Vegas Motor Speedway 3:30 p.m. Fox PRN  
March 12 United Rentals Work United 500 Phoenix Raceway 3:30 p.m. Fox MRN  
March 19 Ambetter Health 400 Atlanta Motor Speedway 3 p.m. Fox PRN  
March 26 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas 3:30 p.m. Fox PRN  
April 2 Toyota Owners 400 Richmond Raceway 3:30 p.m. FS1 MRN  
April 9 Food City Dirt Race Bristol Motor Speedway 7 p.m. Fox PRN  
April 16 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville Martinsville Speedway 3 p.m. FS1 MRN  
April 23 GEICO 500 Talladega Superspeedway 3 p.m. Fox MRN  
April 30 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover Dover Motor Speedway 2 p.m. FS1 PRN  
May 7 AdventHealth 400 Kansas Speedway 3 p.m. FS1 MRN  
May 14 Goodyear 400 Darlington Raceway 3 p.m. FS1 MRN  
May 21 NASCAR All-Star Open North Wilkesboro Speedway 5 p.m. FS1 MRN  
May 21 NASCAR All-Star Race North Wilkesboro Speedway 8 p.m. FS1 MRN  
May 28 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway 6 p.m. Fox PRN  
June 4 Enjoy Illinois 300 World Wide Technology Raceway 3:30 p.m. FS1 MRN  
June 11 Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sonoma Raceway 3:30 p.m. Fox PRN  
June 25 Ally 400 Nashville Superspeedway 7 p.m. NBC PRN  
July 2 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Chicago Chicago Street Course 5:30 p.m. NBC MRN  
July 9 Quaker State 400 Atlanta Motor Speedway 7 p.m. USA PRN  
July 16 Crayon 301 New Hampshire Motor Speedway 2:30 p.m. USA PRN  
July 23 M&M's Fan Appreciation 400 Pocono Raceway 2:30 p.m. USA MRN  
July 30 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Richmond Richmond Raceway 3 p.m. USA MRN  
Aug. 6 FireKeepers Casino 400 Michigan International Speedway 2:30 p.m. USA MRN  
Aug. 13 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard Speedway Road Course 2:30 p.m. NBC IMS  
Aug. 20 Go Bowling at the Glen Watkins Glen International 3 p.m. USA MRN  
Aug. 26 Coke Zero Sugar 400 Daytona International Speedway 7 p.m. NBC MRN  

NASCAR schedule 2023: Playoff races

(All times Eastern)

Date Race Track Start time (ET) TV Radio Winner
Sept. 3 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway 6 p.m. USA MRN  
Sept. 10 Hollywood Casino 400 Kansas Speedway 3 p.m. USA MRN  
Sept. 16 Bass Pro Shops Night Race Bristol Motor Speedway 7:30 p.m. USA PRN  
Sept. 24 AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Texas Motor Speedway 3:30 p.m. USA PRN  
Oct. 1 YellaWood 500 Talladega Superspeedway 2 p.m. NBC MRN  
Oct. 8 Bank of America Roval 400 Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval 2 p.m. NBC PRN  
Oct. 15 South Point 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway 2:30 p.m. NBC PRN  
Oct. 22 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Homestead-Miami Homestead-Miami Speedway 2:30 p.m. NBC MRN  
Oct. 30 Xfinity 500 Martinsville Speedway 2 p.m. NBC MRN  
Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Phoenix Raceway 3 p.m. NBC MRN  

In Canada, fans can watch all NASCAR races on TSN.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.