Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson are the two drivers I would make co-favorites for this Sunday's Nextel Cup race at California Speedway. In the past, both have found the winning formula at the two-mile track, Johnson visiting Victory Lane in 2002 and Busch doing so last year.

WORKING IN
THEIR FAVOR
California Speedway doesn't have much of a history since the track only opened in 1997, but from what we do know, there's no overlooking Busch or Johnson as top threats to win the race.

The setups that work best on this intermediate track are a bit weird and -- unlike some veterans who are quite set in their ways -- Busch and Johnson seem willing to adapt to change and do so quite well.

These two drivers have limited Cup experience (five seasons combined), but I feel that works in their favor at California Speedway since they don't resist trying something different or unusual.

At California Speedway, Johnson has the fourth best average finish (8.5) among Cup drivers and Busch the second best (5.3).

When Johnson won in 2002, Busch finished second.

DRIVERS TO WATCH
Although I'm not considering him a favorite to win the race, Jeff Gordon runs well enough over this two-mile layout that he warrants attention.

Gordon has four top-10s and two wins in seven Cup races at California Speedway, making him the track's top money winner.

Before his win at Martinsville a couple of weeks back, Rusty Wallace's last victory was at California Speedway in 2001.

He finished third last year at this venue.

Wallace has some momentum going for him, but I don't know if he can beat guys like Busch and Johnson.

Kasey Kahne, a rookie who is off to a good start, is a young driver whom I feel adapts well to setups like those needed to find success at California Speedway.

Like Gordon, Bobby Labonte has four top-10s at California Speedway, although he is still looking for his first win at the track.

In two starts at California Speedway, Ryan Newman hasn't placed higher than 14th, but I can see him being in the thick of the fight to win this year.

That's because like Busch and Johnson, Newman is open to whatever setup his team feels will work best out West.

Week after week this season, Jamie McMurray has run well.

After taking fifth in this race a year ago, he could be in Victory Lane on Sunday.

McMurray's teammate Sterling Marlin could also make his presence felt.

I talked to Marlin's crew chief, Lee McCall, who says the No. 40 Dodge is running well and it's right where it needs to be to get Marlin his first win since March of 2002.

KEYS TO SUCCESS AT CALIFORNIA
It's a flat track that's super smooth, wide and multi-grooved.

These characteristics make passing a lot easier at this venue than at other tracks on the Nextel Cup circuit.

The optimum groove changes.

Whatever works for 200 miles might not work for the next 200 miles.

Adapting to the changing groove is critical.

Aero push is important as driver's want the front end of their car to be as close to the track as possible, thus making the car fast.

Coming off the long straightaways cars are slowing from speeds in the 200-mph range, so they can't be getting loose in the corners, especially if they are taking the turns in some traffic.

If a driver's car is handling well, this is a track where it's certainly fun to watch him race.

Also, the pit area is wide open with plenty of room for each of the pit stalls and it has two acceleration lanes from which to exit.

So there is really nothing about pitting at California Speedway that is tricky and time must not be lost during a pit stop.

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