Weekend Wrap-Up: Las Vegas

Weekend Wrap-Up: Las Vegas

What went down: NASCAR's "West Coast Swing", three consecutive races out west, began at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It offered the first real chance for teams to see how the new rules package would work since Daytona is a restrictor plate track (meaning the rules basically don't do anything at those tracks) and Atlanta featured entirely different weather from last season. What they saw was that in spite of lower horsepower, the cars travel much faster in the turns, essentially barely letting off the gas.

This was seen the weekend before at Atlanta, and Jimmie Johnson took advantage that time around. It appeared he was going to do so again, taking the lead away from Joey Logano early in the race. But Johnson began to face a myriad of tire issues, ultimately cutting two tires and finishing 41st. 

Jeff Gordon also looked to rebound from his poor performances in the first two races (due to crashes). He won the pole, his second in three races this season, but was forced to a backup car after contact with a spinning Danica Patrick in practice. Gordon would work his way up to 10th in the race, before running into the back of Jeb Burton who was slowing for one of Johnson's tire issues. Gordon would finish 18th.

Aside from that, the day belonged almost entirely to Kevin Harvick. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. were able to steal the lead a few times from him, but Harvick was simply outstanding throughout the day and quite easily took the win.

What it means for Harvick: The defending champion is back in the Chase and it's not the least bit surprising. Harvick has now finished either first or second in the last six races dating back to last season. That's incredible. He's the first person to accomplish that feat since Gordon in '96. This was also his first victory at Las Vegas. Harvick is now only winless at five active tracks on the NASCAR circuit: Dover, Kentucky, Pocono, Sonoma, and Texas.

What it means for everyone else: The tables turned quickly for Jimmie Johnson since Atlanta, but he showed incredible speed all weekend and still looks very strong this season. Joey Logano also continues to run well, along with Dale Earnhardt Jr. The most pleasant surprises this year, so far, come in the form of two single-car teams. Martin Truex Jr. has Furniture Row Racing in 4th place in points, the highest the team has ever been. And A.J. Allmendinger has recorded consecutive top 10s for JTG Daugherty Racing and is proving that last season's Chase berth was no fluke.

What’s next: Stop number two on the "West Coast Swing" bring the series to Phoenix, the first time NASCAR will visit a one mile track this year. And other drivers better be wary of Harvick here, he's won four of the last five races at Phoenix in dominating fashion.