This Weekend in NASCAR – Phoenix Storylines

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That is the sound of the first ticket possibly being stamped for the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr., who claimed his second Daytona 500 victory after managing to keep Denny Hamlin at bay during the final laps.

But that was last week, and this week both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series head west to Phoenix International Raceway where Regan Smith, winner of Daytona’s Nationwide Series race, has an average finishing position in NASCAR’s three national series is 24.6.

These and other Phoenix storylines follow…

On Sunday night, when Dale Earnhardt Jr. crossed the finish line first in the 56th running of the Daytona 500 after more than a six-hour rain delay, fans everywhere celebrated. Backing up a promise he made earlier, Earnhardt joined Twitter and, more importantly, became the first driver to all but throw his name in for a spot in the reformatted Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Earnhardt held off Denny Hamlin as the field approached the checkers before a wreck ended the race under caution. The victory was Earnhardt’s second in the season opener and his 20th overall.

The revamped knock-out qualifying format will make its inaugural appearance in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Sunday’s race in Phoenix. As long as the weather permits, two of NASCAR’s national series will complete qualifying for the first time under the new format. Last week at Daytona, the NASCAR industry excitedly awaited the arrival of knock-out qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but rain cut short NNS qualifying and completely cancelled the truck series session. Qualifying for the Daytona 500 did not change from years past.

Several drivers used to driving near the front of the field will be looking forward to Sunday’s race at Phoenix to get their season on track. Among the drivers in need of a solid performance at the one-mile track is Tony Stewart, who battled issues throughout the race and finished 35th in his return to competition after missing the final 15 weeks of 2013. Other drivers looking to rebound are Kasey Kahne (31st in the Daytona 500), Danica Patrick (40th), Clint Bowyer (42nd) and Martin Truex Jr. (43rd).

This year’s much ballyhooed seven Sunoco Rookie of the Year contenders were a hot topic during Speedweeks, and all of it was warranted. All seven hoped to impress in the season-opening Daytona 500, however, five of them succumbed to accidents that ended their nights prematurely. The highest-finishing rookie was Austin Dillon, who posted a respectable ninth-place finish after starting on the pole. Alex Bowman was the only other rookie still standing at race’s end, finishing two laps down in 23rd. Expect all seven to bounce back, beginning this weekend in Phoenix.

Several drivers and NASCAR’s new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director Richard Buck should feel at home this weekend. When the series arrives in Phoenix for The Profit on CNBC 500 Presented by Small Business Fueling American at Phoenix International Raceway, the weekend will have a sort of a homecoming feel for Buck (Phoenix) and drivers Alex Bowman (Tucson), Michael McDowell (Glendale) and J.J. Yeley (Phoenix), who all come from the area. Additionally, Danica Patrick currently resides in Phoenix.

The 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season is off to a good start for Regan Smith. The JR Motorsports driver captured the checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway by a mere .013 seconds over Brad Keselowski, the seventh closest in series history and second closest at the 2.5-mile track. He holds a six-point lead in the championship standings over Trevor Bayne.

On Saturday afternoon Joe Gibbs Racing will not only be chasing another victory at Phoenix International Raceway, but a track record. JGR has won the last three NASCAR Nationwide Series races at the track; Kyle Busch swept both races there in 2013 and Joey Logano claimed victory in the 2012 November race. In 24 races, no team has ever captured four victories in a row there.

There are nine drivers competing for NASCAR Nationwide Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors this season, however, three of them started their rookie campaigns off with solid performances Saturday afternoon. Ty Dillon, Dylan Kwasniewski and Chase Elliott, whose average age is 19, head to Phoenix in the top 10 of the points standings. All three will be making their first NNS start at Phoenix on Saturday.