FYI WIRZ: After Rainy Daytona Epic, NASCAR's Top 5 Eager for Dry Phoenix

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races are generally long. That's the distinction for the sport’s top class, but most are three to four hours; not 36 hours like the postponed Daytona 500. Although some races are delayed or cut short by Mother Nature, few get postponed over the long 36-race season.

The desert climate at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona will likely accommodate the routine hectic completion of the 312 lap Subway Fresh Fit 500 on the 1.0-mile oval track with 11 degree banking. This fast track was resurfaced last year and that brings uncertainty.

Fans not in the stands on Mar. 4 can tune in the action at 2:30 p.m. on FOX.

NASCAR Sprint Cup teams are heading into their second race. Common analysis of team production this early in the season is not crucial. Tony Stewart claims it takes four or five races any season before stronger teams emerge.

The top 20 drivers right now are sure to shift positions soon with some dropping down and others holding on with some moving up.

The top five aces in Sprint Cup right now are Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin and Jeff Burton.

They shared their words about Phoenix for fans.

1. Matt Kenseth (No. 17 Ford)

“We all came to test," Kenseth said. “The surface was slick, to say the least. It took a long time to burn it in. When we came back to race, it didn't take quite as long."

“Now with it sitting all winter, I'm not sure what kind of track activity there is. I think there's a little wondering when you get out there of what the surface is going to be like, how long we're going to have to run to get it burned in, if it's going to be ready.”

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Chevrolet)

"When we were at Phoenix last year, the track was too smooth,” Earnhardt said. “Hopefully it has aged some over the winter, but we'll go to Phoenix with a good attitude. We feel like we can go to Phoenix and run well, so we'll see how it goes."

3. Greg Biffle (No. 16 Ford)

“I am ready to get on the track in Phoenix and I think the fans are going to love our 3Mwraps.com paint scheme,” Biffle said. “After Phoenix I get to spend a little time at the sand dunes on my way to Vegas, which is always fun.”

4. Denny Hamlin (No 11 Toyota)

“I thought that the surface raced better actually than we thought it was going to race right off the bat,” Hamlin said. “During testing, I was very worried about how the race was going to be. I think the time we got on it and the rubber that laid down -- it raced better than expected. It will still be two to three years before we see really good side-by-side racing, but they had to make changes.”

5. Jeff Burton (No. 31 Chevrolet)

"I think when we go to Phoenix International Raceway, no one really has an idea what to expect. The track changes so much from day-to-day. We were really fast there and ran well."

"Once the track got rubber-d up, it was okay. Once the race got going, it was fine, but there was no grip at the start of the race."

“It's just been a good track. When we go there, I'm very comfortable and feel like we know what it takes to win."

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained from official release materials provided by NASCAR and team representatives. Photo credit: Dwight Drum at Racetake.com.