California, here comes Newman.

For Ryan Newman and his ALLTEL Team Penske, it's another new race track and a further challenge on tap this weekend.

Throw into the mix a special paint design for this weekend's NAPA Auto Parts 500 at California Speedway and Newman and his Matt Borland-led team are hoping that it all adds up to their first pole and race win of the year.

"We tested at Fontana in January and it reminded me a lot of Michigan," Newman said. "We're trying to test everywhere before we race so we at least have an idea of what the track is like. I'm really looking forward to getting some race laps in at California."

Michigan was the site of Newman's 2000 stock car racing debut in an ARCA machine. He qualified a surprising second and finished seventh, even after losing a cylinder. In his first Winston Cup start at Michigan last June, he qualified 12th and finished fifth. August's Busch Series race would bring Newman his first big NASCAR win after starting second. If Newman's numbers at Michigan are any indication of his future intermediate track success, he could be hard to beat at California.

"Fontana is a good intermediate track which seems to be where we run the best," said the 1999 USAC champion. "I won't say I like the 1.5-mile tracks better, but I definitely don't mind going to one."

This weekend Newman's Ford Taurus will carry a special paint design for team major associate sponsor Mobil 1. The familiar blue and black Ford Taurus will be red and black in conjunction with the launch of reformulated Mobil 1 with SuperSyn%.

"It's been our pleasure to work with ALLTEL and team Penske to develop this part of our marketing communications. We are excited to see Mobil 1 as primary colors on the No. 12 car for the Napa Auto Parts 500 race," said Alan Kelly, North American Regional Director for ExxonMobil. "The race will be held as we announce the reformulation of Mobil 1 that includes the new SuperSyn anti-wear system. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn is the best motor oil ExxonMobil engineers have ever developed."

"I'm looking forward to this weekend and helping launch the reformulated Mobil 1," said Newman. "Mobil 1 is a familiar sight on the track and my crew is pleased to represent the brand and the New Mobil 1 product launch."