NASCAR at Phoenix 2015: Latest NASCAR Team News, Top Drivers and More
Three weeks into the NASCAR season, three familiar championship contenders have already clinched wins. Kevin Harvick, who had a pair of top-two finishes to start the year, secured his first victory in Las Vegas in dominant fashion.
Since the end of last season, no driver has been as consistently great as Harvick. The No. 4 machine has been in either first or second in six straight races dating back to last year's Chase. That streak was crucial to Harvick winning a title and already puts him in contention again this year.
Outside of Harvick, the biggest storylines have continued to surround safety concerns and fellow Stewart-Haas driver Kurt Busch. Before the next Sprint Cup race in Phoenix, here's a look at the latest news and top drivers to watch.
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Race Information for CampingWorld.com 500
Where: Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
When: Sunday, March 15
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Radio: Motor Racing Network
Latest Team News
One of the biggest stories during the start of the NASCAR season has been the SAFER barrier walls, or the lack thereof. Luckily, no driver made contact with a concrete wall in Las Vegas, but the attention on improving safety hasn't lessened.
Jeff Gordon, who wrecked into a concrete wall in Atlanta, will discuss safety with NASCAR officials this week. NASCAR.com also reports that Ryan Newman, who graduated from Purdue with an engineering degree, spoke to officials about improved measures at tracks.
Tire barriers have been added, but NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O'Donnell still wants to discuss future improvements with Gordon.
"We'll go from there, but it's really just getting on the same page in terms of what's planned from a safety standpoint at each of the tracks coming up, and we'll also talk to him about the new rules package, what he's feeling in the car and get feedback from there," O'Donnell said, via the NASCAR.com report.
Another drawn-out story this season is the status of Kurt Busch, who was suspended on Feb. 20. It was revealed last week that Busch will not be charged in a domestic abuse case, but he still currently remains suspended by NASCAR.
SHR co-owner Gene Haas spoke about Busch's status ahead of Phoenix, via Tom Jensen of Fox Sports:
"At this time that's really up to NASCAR. Some of our concerns are obviously if he does come back, can we get in the Chase? But those issues really now kind of reside with NASCAR. …
Quite frankly, we've had a lot of turmoil over the last year, and we just kind of keep going. I don't know what it is, but I think it's just the nature of, like I say, Tony and myself, how we deal with things.
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If any team knows how to bounce back from controversy, it's SHR. But even with Harvick's continued success, a cloud remains over the team heading into the fourth race of the season.
Drivers to Watch
Kevin Harvick
What's better than a streak of six consecutive top-two finishes? How about three straight wins at a track. That's exactly what Harvick has accomplished in Phoenix.
No discussion in NASCAR can take place without mentioning Harvick's recent streak. Likewise, it's hard to talk about Phoenix and not praise Harvick for his unreal supremacy over the last several years.
Instead of letting the success get to his head, Harvick noted he'll continue to look to stay on top, via Marty Smith of ESPN:
Let's try to put Harvick's last five races at Phoenix into perspective. During that span, he's won four to move his total to six at the track. Jimmie Johnson is second on the wins list with four overall.
Suffice to say, don't expect Harvick's run to end this weekend.
Martin Truex Jr.
With all of the negativity going on in the sport with safety issues and Busch's controversy, one great story has been the strong start for Martin Truex Jr. Last season was one of the most trying years of his career, but 2015 is beginning to look like one of his best.
Currently sitting at fourth in points, Truex has three top-10 results and finished second in Vegas. Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised his former teammate with DEI on Twitter:
Though he's never won in Phoenix, he still has six top-10 finishes at the track during his career. If it wasn't already evident during the first three races, it appears a win is eventually coming for Truex at the Sprint Cup level.
At this point, it's a matter of when rather than if. Heading to yet another intermediate track on Sunday, the Furniture Row Racing driver just might have what it takes to capture a checkered flag in Phoenix.
Jeff Gordon
At some point the season has to turn around for Gordon, right? Right?
He's won the pole twice already through three races, but bad luck has caused the No. 24 to collect just one top-20 result this year. In fact, he had to work really hard just to collect that 18th-place finish in Vegas due to a wreck with Danica Patrick in practice. That ultimately sent him to the back of the pack.
Let's just say that doesn't quite seem like the storybook ending most NASCAR fans expected for Gordon. Luckily, he has 23 more races before the Chase to right those wrongs. With two wins at Phoenix during his illustrious career, look for him to turn things around in Avondale.
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