CUP: Rain Red-Flags Fontana Race

Rain showers forced NASCAR officials to red-flag Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway with 71 laps remaining.

Tony Stewart held the lead as officials brought the field to pit road under the red flag.

Weather forecasts call for rain to continue in the speedway area throughout the afternoon.

Since the race is past the halfway point, it will be official if weather forces officials to cancel the rest of the event.

At the red flag, Stewart leads Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards.

Denny Hamlin gave up second place to pit as the caution came out when moisture hit the track. He is in 11th during the red flag.

As the caution flew, Jimmie Johnson’s car began smoking with an oil leak. He stayed on the track apron until the red flag and kept 10th place.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.