Morning update from Fontana

Good morning from sunny and hot Auto Club Speedway where preparations are underway for the MAVTV 500 IndyCar race. Temperatures are only in the low 70's but a bit humid for our liking at 8:30 in the morning. The high temperature for today is predicted to be 95 degrees, a temperature sure to keep the fans away. Whoever put Fontana on the schedule for late June should have their head examined.

The 3 IndyCar rookies, Gabby Chaves, Sage Karam and Stefano Coletti are on track for the rookie practice. The rest of the drivers will practice at 9:30 and at 12:45 today before qualifying at 4:45 pm.

With the next 3 races being oval races, we will be watching Juan Montoya and Scott Dixon to see if they can win a 2nd oval race this season. Chip Ganassi Racing is the only current IndyCar team with more than one win at ACS, Vasser in 1998 and Kanaan in 2014. Team Penske has only had one win at this track, Power in 2013.

Going out to see what else is new….

Lucille Dust reporting from Auto Club Speedway