NASCAR at Las Vegas 2015: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info and Drivers to Watch
Two races into the season, there are already two drivers who have secured their berths into the Chase. With another spot potentially on the line in Las Vegas, every team will be hoping to put another driver into NASCAR's postseason.
Last season, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s gamble didn't pay off as he ran out of gas on the last lap. Instead, it was Brad Keselowski who drove to Victory Lane for the first time at the track.
During previews earlier in the week, names like Keselowski, Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson have already been mentioned. All three will be contenders on Sunday, but the drivers found below will be three others to add some variety in Sin City.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here's a full look at the schedule, viewing information and another trio of drivers to watch for the Kobalt 400.
Race Information
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Sunday, March 8
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: Performance Racing Network
What happens when a veteran championship driver starts getting desperate for a strong finish? Well, we're about to find out.
The first two events of Jeff Gordon's final full-time season haven't exactly gone to plan. A late wreck in the Daytona 500 ruined any chance of a top-five result. The No. 24 car then found a concrete wall in Atlanta that ended his afternoon.
Now it's time to go all in at Vegas.
That's exactly what Gordon did during qualifying when he took the pole. On a track that doesn't wear down the tires, Gordon barely let off the throttle around turns, via Reid Spencer of NASCAR.com:
"I may have come off of it just a tiny bit, but it wasn't much at all. And it stuck so good, I was like, 'Okay, do I run wide open through (Turns) 3 and 4?' I don't know. It was real close. There was a lot of wide-open throttle there. It was fun. What a turnaround from last week. I'm just so proud of this team and keeping their heads up. Last week was a tough one, and this is a great, great way to start out weekend here in Las Vegas …
I can't believe I won my first pole in Las Vegas in my final race here.
"
It may have been his first pole in Nevada, but it was already his second of the season. Unfortunately, he'll have to start at the back of the pack after a wreck with Danica Patrick on Saturday, per John Oreovicz of ESPN.com.
Equipped with the fastest car on the track and teammates Kasey Kahne and Earnhardt in the top five, Gordon might secure the second straight win for Hendrick if he can charge back to the front. That is, of course, if Junior or Blue Eyes don't take it from him.
Paul Menard
Wait a minute, Paul Menard? A guy who has one win over his entire career in NASCAR is a driver to watch? Well, for those who paid attention last year, Menard should always be on the radar at intermediate tracks.
Heading into Vegas, Menard has three straight top 10s at the track and finished third last season. Joseph Wolkin of Speedway Digest points out that Menard's not the only Richard Childress Racing driver finding success in Vegas:
Even with a starting position of 29th, Menard will drive up near the front by the end of the race. After all, the last two times Menard has qualified 20th or worse, he's driven to a finish of seventh or better.
One of the most even-keeled drivers on the circuit, Menard won't let any adversity bother him. Then again, he'll certainly find a way to bull rush his way up the leaderboard if he can keep a clean car.
Wild Card: Brian Vickers
Offseason heart surgery caused Brian Vickers to miss the first two races of the season with Michael Waltrip Racing. Vickers returns to his ride for the first time on Sunday with hopes of catching up in the points race.
His story alone is reason enough to watch Brian Vickers. But his recent results in Vegas are also worth noting.
He has two top-10 results at the track in his last four attempts. That doesn't include last season, when he narrowly missed out by finishing 13th in his first year with MWR. Holding two top 10s from last season at intermediate tracks, fans can expect to see him contend in his first Sprint Cup race in 2015.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
