Kevin Harvick has dominated the NASCAR Monster Cup series winning 66.7% of the races thus far. While this sounds impressive, it just means that he won back to back races in a very young season. He won last week in Las Vegas, and NASCAR stays in the desert with this week’s race in Phoenix.
Phoenix is a 1 mile, low banked tri-oval race track. It is very difficult to pass at this track, so starting position is critical, and pit strategies will be crucial for success in this race.
My Top 4 Drivers for the TicketGuardian 500
Martin Truex Jr($10,900): Since he is starting in the pole position, he is an easy pick to build your lineup around. He will easy rack up Laps Lead points in the beginning. Truex Jr. finished 3rd in the November 2017 race.
Kyle Larson($10,300): Larson qualified in the second position, and with it being a track that is difficult to pass, he will could stay in the Top 5 all race long. In last year’s March race, a late pit gamble by Ryan Newman propelled him to beat a hard charging Larson.
Kevin Harvick($11,400): Harvick rides into the desert with some serious momentum. He has won the last two races with only three races into the season. Unfortunately for the other drivers, Phoenix is his most dominant track. Harvick has racked up an impressive eight trips to victory lane, and has scored at least a Top 10 finish in 11 of the last 12 races. He starts 10th, but with his skill and momentum, he could work his way to the Top 3.
Ryan Newman($7,700): Newman scored a huge victory in last year’s race with a very late pit strategy gamble and with some luck and skill, held off faster cars with fresher tires. Newman is a veteran driver who is notoriously hard to pass. He will provide some salary relief for your lineup.
Others to Consider
Joey Logano($9,500): Logano started in the pole position in last year’s March race leading 82 laps. A late accident doomed his day. Logano races well at this track, as he won this race in November 2016 where he started 4th. In this race, Logano starts 5th.
Denny Hamlin($9,200): Hamlin is a short track specialist, with an excellent history at Phoenix. He won the March 2012 race, and has ten Top 5’s and fourteen Top 10’s at this track. He can provide some salary relief compared to Harvick, Larson, and Truex Jr. Hamlin starts 6th in this race.
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