NASCAR at Phoenix 2014: Latest NASCAR Team News, Top Drivers and More
Just one race remains before the Chase field is eliminated to four drivers. After that, only one event stands between them and a championship in Homestead.
Let's just say Phoenix should pack plenty of punch. And that's following one of the biggest melees this season between Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski—two drivers still in the Chase.
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Between penalties handed down for that brawl and the actual race set to take place this Sunday, it has been an eventful week in NASCAR. Having four spots available and a tight margin between fourth and eighth—just six points—a lot is on the line in Phoenix.
With the penultimate race set to get underway this weekend, here's a look at the schedule, latest news and drivers to watch in the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500.
Race Information
Where: Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
When: Sunday, Nov. 9
Start Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Motor Racing Network
Latest News
In NASCAR, there's no bigger news than what happened following the Texas race.
During a green-white-checkered restart, Keselowski attempted to drive through a gap between Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Subsequently, the No. 24 car tried to block him, and the contact cut down his driver side front tire.
Gordon was sent spinning around the next turn, finishing 29th, while Keselowski wound up third behind Johnson and Kevin Harvick. Though it appeared Gordon was at fault, he and his crew confronted Keselowski after the event.
Prior to this week's Phoenix race, Denny Hamlin spoke about how difficult it will be for Keselowski on the track, via Nate Ryan of USA Today:
"You're just looking for someone to say, 'Man, I'm sorry I ruined your day. I screwed up. I apologize.' When that doesn't get said, then it immediately lights a fire in your stomach that he doesn't have any remorse. He's just like, 'Oh well, it's your problem.' …
He has a right to feel the way he has, but when there's no accountability, they're going to be upset with you. You have to expect it. It's tough to win a championship if no one likes you. That is going to be a very tough task. I think that you always have to watch your mirror. That's a tough way to race.
"
Of course, Hamlin and Keselowski were involved in a skirmish of their own back in Charlotte. Hamlin is still in the Chase along with Gordon and Harvick—who instigated the altercation—so all three will be doing everything in their power to fend off Keselowski.
On Tuesday, penalties were passed down for the brawl, and neither driver was penalized.
Instead, NASCAR penalized the crews for Gordon and his Hendrick teammate Kasey Kahne for their involvement. In an official release, it was announced Tuesday that Kahne's crew chief, Kenny Francis, and Gordon's crew chief, Alan Gustafson, were fined $50,000 and placed on probation for six points races.
Team owner Rick Hendrick noted he will not appeal the decision, via Jeff Gluck of USA Today. Hendrick also referenced Gordon's actions and his support of the crews, per Alan Cavanna of NASCAR.com:
Jeremy Fuller of Kahne's crew and Dwayne Doucette and Jason Ingle of Gordon's crew were also suspended for six races and fined $25,000. Along with the other five, Gordon crew member Dean Mozingo was suspended three races and fined $10,000.
On a flat track where anything is possible, there's no telling what might happen in Phoenix.
Drivers to Watch
Kevin Harvick
In desperate need of a win to secure his spot in the final race, Harvick heads to the perfect track.
Phoenix has been dominated by the Stewart-Haas Racing driver lately. He's not only won three of the last four races in Avondale, but he hasn't lost a fall race at the track since 2011. If that last statistic sounds familiar, that's because it's identical to Johnson's numbers at Texas—and we know how that finished.
Jeff Owens of Sporting News offered his take on Harvick's chances this weekend:
"Down by 33 points at Martinsville, he now trails by just 18 after finishing second and has hope at just six points behind fourth.
For a driver in a must-win situation, Harvick couldn’t be going to a better track. His five wins there are two more than he has at any other track, and he’s won three of the past four. He led 224 of 312 laps to win there in March. He may need a similar performance to advance.
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Heading into Phoenix seems like a dream scenario for Harvick and the entire SHR team that has just one driver remaining. Coming off a great run at Texas, Harvick might be able to make the final four regardless.
But with a victory, Homestead looks much more promising. If any driver can drive to Victory Lane in this scenario, it's Harvick at Phoenix.
Jeff Gordon
When his lip healed from the crew battle in Texas, Gordon likely realized he's still a contender for a title. He may have gone from first to fourth on the Chase Grid, but Gordon can still remain in that position with his history in the upcoming race.
The Hendrick driver hasn't experienced the same success in November as in the spring, but he's typically near the top of the leaderboard. Gordon referenced the rage from Texas and how that will translate on Sunday, via Kelly Crandall of Popular Speed:
In the last 10 races at Phoenix, Gordon has six top 10s, including two of the last three. His last win came back in 2011, but he was also in the top five back in March along with teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Expect Hendrick to once again be near the top with a chance to sweep the entire Eliminator Round. As the lone driver still left in the Chase, Gordon's win would be the most significant one of the season for the team.
Somewhat forgotten in the mix of every other driver in contention, Carl Edwards has been a steady force in the Chase. Heading into the final race of the Eliminator Round, he's one point behind Gordon and tied with Matt Kenseth just outside of the top four.
Prior to making the switch next season to Joe Gibbs Racing, he still has some unfinished business with Roush-Fenway to handle this year. Just 13 points separate him from Hamlin and Joey Logano at the top, so he needs a nearly flawless race on Sunday.
Already having two wins at the track during his career, Phoenix seems like a perfect fit for Edwards to secure his spot in the final race. In his final races with RFR, he has one last chance to bring a championship back to the team before his exit.
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