Green-White-Checkers

Stop #3: Sin City

By Ryan Frisco

Photo Cred www.djoystick.com

From the rolling deserts of Phoenix, the NASCAR drivers are taking a tour North to Las Vegas for the third race of the year.  Let's hope the drivers stick to racing this weekend instead of following the old adage 'What happens in Vegas...'

So what are we looking at this week?

Really, nothing special about this track.  It' s one of the many mid length tracks the tour has to offer.  Along with Kansas, Kentucky, Chicagoland, Phoenix, Atlanta and others, the weeks kind of start to blend in with each other.  There won't be door to door banging or big crashes.  These races come down to pure speed and sometimes fuel mileage.  Some people complain there's not enough action; it's not about action, it's about the fastest car proving it.  Racing at these tracks is racing in its purest form.

Photo Cred www.stardem.com

Las Vegas was introduced to NASCAR about 15 years ago.  From what I can remember, the Rousch drivers have aways been fond of it, along with Hendrick Motorsports.  This makes sense, they are the fastest cars usually.  

I expect a few drivers to run well this weekend.  Mark Martin likes this track.  Hendrick cars Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne should be up there early, with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. arriving later in the race.  Brad Keselowski will work his way up to the front eventually, and Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards should give it a shot as well.  

Photo Cred www.bleacherreport.com

A Dark Horse I expect to be in the mix?  Martin Truex, Jr.  He's been so close so many times lately, and this track suits him well.

My Favorite to win?  Matt Kenseth.  He's been fast so far this season.  This is his third race with Joe Gibbs Racing.  I'm thinking third times the charm.  You can that one to the bank.  Let's watch Sunday and see what happens.  It's Vegas...anything can happen.