The 2005 Auto Club 500, run on February 27, was the second date on the 2005 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Jeff Gordon had won the Daytona 500 a week earlier and excitement filled the air as the stars and cars of NASCAR converged on southern California.  

Kyle Busch started the race from the pole, becoming the youngest Sprint Cup pole winner at age 19, with a qualifying speed of 188.245 mph. Busch’s pole winning lap also broke the track record held at the time by Ryan Newman. Brian Vickers started on the outside of the front row followed by Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemecheck and Greg Biffle.

Biffle told the media prior to the start of the race he would have the lead in the initial five laps and that he would win the race. Biffle made good on both promises, the Roush Fenway driver had the lead on lap four and later that day celebrated in Victory Lane.

Joe Nemechek, driving the No. 01 Army sponsored Chevrolet, led a race-high 63 laps before being sidelined with engine problems on lap 180 of the 250-lap event. Kevin Harvick, Mark Martin and Kurt Busch traded the lead in the final 50 laps until Greg Biffle took control for good on lap 228. Biffle crossed the finish line 0.231 seconds ahead of Jimmie Johnson to win his first of six races during the 2005 season. Kurt Busch finished third with Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards fourth and fifth, respectively.

The 2005 Auto Club took 3 hours 34 minutes and 45 seconds to complete at an average speed of 139.697 mph. Seven cautions slowed the event for a total of 40 laps as 90,000 fans looked on.

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