Which racers were on the gas and were on the brakes? (Photo Credit: Jose L. Acero Jr/TPF)
What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. For the drivers of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series that tried to chase down the No. 4 Ford this past weekend, most would say they wish Kevin Harvick would stay in Las Vegas. The last two weeks have been nothing short of pure domination for the Stewart-Haas Racing driver, and with Phoenix on the Horizon, things aren’t looking much better.
Let’s take a look at the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube and see who was…
On The Gas
3: Kyle Busch – One of only three drivers to lead laps into the double-digit lap count. Kyle managed 10, which in Sundays race, had to be considered impressive. Busch entered the weekend going for a triple he left with at least one win in Las Vegas at his home track.
2: Joey Logano – The Fords continue to prove people wrong, and Joey Logano is another that is stating loud and proud “I told you so.” Logano was the second to lead more than 10 laps, for the driver of the No. 22 Ford, he would pace the field for 25 laps and would fade late taking the checkers in seventh.
1: Kevin Harvick – For the second week in a row, “The Closer” becomes “The Dominator” and holds the top spot but in the final run down and in our weekly break down. Harvick has never won three races in a row in his career, but as the series heads off to his personal stomping ground, ISM Raceway in Phoenix, the field might as well bend over and take that whooping now. Off to the woodshed!
With the good, there has to be a bad. And these three were glowing red…
On The Brakes
3: Michael McDowell – It’s the little team that could. Front Row Motorsports has been showing continued progress through the end of 2017 and the beginning of this season. McDowell was the third driver to lead double digit laps, the No. 34 Ford was out front for 11 laps and looking at a top-15 run, if not, better prior to an engine failure. They are showing speed in qualifying. Now they just need to get the finishes.
2: Chase Elliott – Tell me if you’ve heard this one before? “Wrong place, wrong time.” It’s becoming a mantra for Elliott and the No. 9 team. This time while leading the way for Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott was riding on the outside line when the No. 41 broke loose and they both crashed hard ending their day. Good thing Elliott knows how to say, “There is always next week.”
1: Kurt Busch – When you have the car break loose and you’ve got room to save, until a car is stuck on the outside and you both go hard in to the outside wall, it’s just another round of bad luck for Busch. It makes it hard to believe that he’s a native of Las Vegas, where luck is all around people. When Kurt Busch is in town, it’s a good time to play the slots because the bad luck will follow him.
It was a quick race with a dominating winner. Most of the field was hard on the gas. However, as we head to the desert and ISM Raceway, the driver that wins there will need to work both pedals exceptionally well.
Just a little more gas next week to keep you on the good side.
