Crew Chief's Auto Club 500 Predictions - 1st Cut

The all-knowing and brilliant (not to mention lucky) Crew Chief is back with her projected winners for Sunday's Auto Club 500. Although the popular opinion is that Jeff Gordon will win, yours truly believes that the infamous Jimmie Johnson will emerge victorious.

Here are my projected top 10 finishers, for now at least. (I'll provide an update to changes I should happen to make as the week progresses.)

1. Jimmie Johnson
   
2. Tony Stewart
3. Lil' E
4. Bobby Labonte
5. Mark Martin
6. Jeff Gordon
7. Kurt Busch
8. Kasey Kahne
9. Michael Waltrip
10. Kevin Harvick

Why Jimmie Johnson? Two main reasons. First, he has a 1st and a 2nd in his four races at the California Speedway and Second, California is his home state, an extra incentive to do good. Like I said, this may change as the week goes on, especially once the qualifying runs are complete.

Speaking of qualifying, remembers that under the new NASCAR rules, the qualifying runs will not be held until 3:00 Eastern on Saturday. (To be televised on FX). Note also that StatLeader will post our Qualifying analysis tomorrow night.