Many think that most of the drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are from the east coast of the country, but what many don’t know is California also has quite the contingent of natives behind the wheel.

Of the seven drivers from California, two are vying for the championship this season, four-time series champion Jeff Gordon who hails from Vallejo, Calif. and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, three-time series champion Jimmie Johnson who grew up in El Cajon, Calif.

Another set of teammates, Kevin Harvick (No 29 SHELL/Pennzoil Chevrolet) and Casey Mears (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet) for Richard Childress Racing are both from Bakersfield, Calif.

The next driver, Robby Gordon (No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Toyota) calls Orange, Calif. his hometown. Gordon is 33rd in the standings, having posted one top five this season. He has made 14 starts at Auto Club Speedway posting one top-five finish.

One of this season’s Raybestos Rookie of the Year contenders Scott Speed (No. 82 Red Bull Toyota) is from Manteca, Calif., and AJ Allmendinger (No. 44 Dassault Systems Dodge) is from Los Gatos.

NSCS California Native Drivers

Kevin Harvick (No. 29 driver) – Bakersfield
Casey Mears (No. 07 driver) – Bakersfield
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 driver) – El Cajon
Robby Gordon (No. 7 driver) – Orange
Scott Speed (No. 82 driver) — Manteca
Jeff Gordon (No. 24 driver) – Vallejo
AJ Allmendinger (No. 44 driver) – Los Gatos