30 Degrees of Banking

Stop #2: Phoenix

By Ryan Frisco

Last week was the big show.  The NFL has their big game at the end of the season, NASCAR chooses to open up the campaign with their marquee event.  With that out of the way, it's time to get to the real skill level racing.  That begins this Sunday, as the drivers make their way to the desert for the Subway 500 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Photo Cred www.thesportsdump.com

Daytona is a track any driver can win at.  It takes keeping up with the draft.  The top ten included three drivers who have never won a race before, and two who never even took a top ten before then.  This week will be different.  This week, the drivers start actually racing each other one on one.  They start muscling their cars through the turns and forcing each other out of the groove.  They actually have to communicate to the crew what the car needs, and the crew has to fix it to make the car better.  Things change starting this Sunday.

What to Look For: Honestly, I'm not sure who's going to be a contender this weekend.  It's far to early in the season to make any sound judgements.  Mark Martin and Kasey Kahne are starting on the front row, so I'd put them in the running.  Guys like Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch are always competitive everywhere, so I wouldn't rule them out.  Danica?  Probably not.  Too early for her at this type of track.  If I had to pick someone to win this race, I'd probably go with a Rousch car, either Greg Biffle or Carl Edwards.  No specific reason why, just a hunch.

One Storyline: Last year at Phoenix, Jeff Gordon got mad.  He didn't like some interactions with Clint Bowyer on the track, and blamed his cut tire on the #15 car.  Instead of going to the pits to fix it, Jeff slowed the car down, waited an entire lap for Clint to come back around, and took him out.  Watch the video.  

This is our first time back to the track since then.  I haven't seen the media covering this story too much.  Good for them.  I wouldn't be surprised to see some 'finger' pointing Sunday between these two.  Probably gonna see that #24 Chevy with a little bit of yellow and red stained along the side of the car as well.  Who knows, it could be nothing on track between these two.  But, you never know.