Weekend Wrap-Up: Phoenix

Weekend Wrap-Up: Phoenix

What went down: No shocker at Phoenix this past weekend. What everybody predicted (including driver Joey Logano) held true.

Kevin Harvick started from the pole position, and after surrendering the lead early to Logano, the King of Phoenix put everyone back in their place. Yes, Brad Keselowski led some laps too, but that was during some varying pit strategies, and it was not long before Harvick took the lead again. He lead 224 of 312 laps. In case your math is failing you, that is 72%. 

I could try to write more, but what else is there to say? Ok, there was one other story that stood out in this race, and that was Kurt Busch's return from suspension. Though he finished 5th, Busch seemed to have the best car aside from his teammate Harvick, and showed that missing three races didn't cause him any struggle.

Ok now, besides Harvick and Kurt, there's not much left to say. I could say something about Tony Stewart's continued woes after another a horrid finish or Jimmie Johnson putting Brian Vickers into the wall after one lap, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is Harvick is obviously untouchable at Phoenix.

What it means for Harvick: Harvick now has two wins out of four races this season, including back-to-back wins already this year. The win also extends Harvick's streak of finishing first or second to SEVEN consecutive races, a record he now shares with the legendary Richard Petty. And last but not least, Harvick now has won FOUR consecutive races at Phoenix (unheard of in this age of NASCAR) and five out of the last six.

Oh yeah, he is also the current points leader (obviously).

What it means for everyone else: Catch up.

Despite the rule changes to the cars, Harvick and his team are still far better than any other team out there. And this has been the case for well over a year now. The rest of the field better figure out how to match Harvick's speed every weekend if they want to beat this team for the title.

What’s next: The series will wrap-up its "West Coast Swing" this coming weekend at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. This will be a big change from Phoenix, in terms of speed. Fontana is twice the size of Phoenix and passing will be much easier.