{"id":3505,"date":"2018-03-09T12:50:04","date_gmt":"2018-03-09T17:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=3505"},"modified":"2018-03-09T12:50:04","modified_gmt":"2018-03-09T17:50:04","slug":"nascar-phoenix-race-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2018\/03\/09\/nascar-phoenix-race-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR – Phoenix Race Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASCAR<\/strong> moves from the glitz and glitter of Las Vegas<\/strong> to the cactus-filled landscape of Arizona<\/strong>.\u00a0 ISM Raceway<\/strong>, formally known as Phoenix International Raceway, plays host to the Monster Energy Series’ fourth race of the season.\u00a0 Here’s a few thoughts on what to expect on Sunday in the desert.<\/p>\n

NASCAR – Phoenix Race Preview<\/h1>\n

The Fords are freaky fast<\/h2>\n

Yeah, I know that last weeks winner, Kevin Harvick<\/strong> failed post-race inspection and essentially had most of the benefits of the victory taken away by NASCAR. But you’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the NASCAR garage that thinks those infractions mattered much to the cars performance.\u00a0 That’s bad news for the other competitors.<\/p>\n

While the Chevrolets<\/strong> are still trying to figure out their new car and the Toyota<\/strong>‘s hard at work to recapture last years dominance, its the Fords of Penske and Stewart Haas that are showing the most speed.\u00a0 A safe pick this weekend might once again be from the Ford camp.<\/p>\n

Jimmie Johnson struggles<\/h2>\n

OK, who among us at the beginning of the season had Jimmie Johnson<\/strong> sitting 29th in the Monster Energy Cup standings after 4 races?\u00a0 Not seeing any hands, I’ll move on.\u00a0 Perhaps we saw signs last week that he and his Hendrick Motor Sports<\/strong> team have righted the ship.<\/p>\n

After failing pre-race inspection three times, Johnson had major handling issues to start the race in Las Vegas.\u00a0 Quickly falling a lap behind, Johnson and his team worked and worked on the car, eventually gaining a 12th place finish.\u00a0 While a Johnson 12th place finish might not be worthy of a celebration, the fact that the team dramatically improved his car might be good news for Johnson’s fans.\u00a0 Phoenix will tell us if they have indeed returned to form.<\/p>\n

The first short track of the season<\/h2>\n

One mile tracks are not often talked about as “short” but in today’s era of 1.5 milers I think they qualify.\u00a0 Add the fact of the low banking at Phoenix International Raceway, er I mean ISM Raceway, it really has the look and the feel of a short track with one exception.\u00a0 It’s much wider than a typical shortie.<\/p>\n

Today, NASCAR has too many tracks that race similar.\u00a0 Drivers will often tell us that that’s not the case at all but for us fans it sure as heck looks like it.\u00a0 ISM Raceway<\/strong> will never be accused of that.\u00a0 NASCAR needs more uniqueness in its venues and ISM Raceway fits that mold perfectly.\u00a0 Flat, fast and wide.<\/p>\n

Track Upgrades<\/h2>\n

As the rest of NASCAR deals with a decline in revenue, ISM has invested $178 million in its facility upgrade.\u00a0 Some of those upgrades will be available this weekend.\u00a0 New escalators, a ticketed hospitality area and a new sports bar and grill will make their debuts this weekend.\u00a0 But there is a lot more to come.<\/p>\n

After the IndyCar race in April the track and its grandstands will be reconfigured.\u00a0 The current start\/finish line will be moved to the area which is commonly referred to as the dog leg.\u00a0 This should lead to some exciting finishes.\u00a0 At least that’s the hope.<\/p>\n

After less than edge of your seat racing the last two weeks, here’s hoping the flat one miler will give us plenty to talk about come Monday.<\/p>\n

Thanks for reading.\u00a0 Listen to WTBQ Radio on Monday and Friday mornings as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss the current happenings in NASCAR.\u00a0 1110AM, 93.5FM or online at WTBQ.com.\u00a0 Follow me on twitter @Jimlaplante<\/strong><\/p>\n

MAIN PHOTO:<\/strong>
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>