Up Next: Subway Fresh Fit 500, Avondale, Arizona, Saturday, April 12, 2008, 8:30 p.m. EDT, 5:30 p.m. PDT. Broadcast on FOX- TV. The Valley of The Sun has hosted NASCAR since 1988. For those of you who hated Texas, this ain’t Texas- NASCAR drivers will go at it this week on a 1-mile oval, with 9 to 11-degree banking in the turns, 3-degree banking on the front stretch, 9-degrees on the back.

Phoenix trivia- Alan Kulwicki won the first Cup event at Phoenix International Raceway on November 6, 1988. The Craftsman Truck Series started running here in 1995, the Nationwide Boys didn’t start running here until 1999.

The fastest qualifying speed here is owned by “Mr. Pole,” Ryan “Rocket” Newman with a 26.499 lap in November, 2004 with a speed of 135.854. Newman “!!” has earned 3 Bud Pole Awards at Phoenix, as has Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace

For best race speeds, Tony Stewart ran an average speed of 118.132 in the #20 Pontiac in his 1999 victory, Jeff Burton set the pace in the November, 2000 Nationwide race with an average 115.145 in a Roush Ford. For CTS drivers, Kevin Harvick set the standard with an average speed of 108.014 from his November, 2002 win.

The Big Winners at Phoenix- 2001 & 2006 Nationwide champ Kevin “Happy” Harvick, now the 2nd winningest driver in Nationwide history (32) has won 2 Cup races, a Nationwide race, and a Craftsman Truck race. 2002 Busch Series titleist Greg Biffle has won 2 Busch races and a truck race in the Grand Canyon State, Jack Sprague has 3 CTS checkereds. In Cup driving, Davey Allison, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr. have all won 2 apiece. Defending champion Jimmie Johnson and HMS teammate Jeff Gordon were winners at PIS in 2007.

A record 11 caution flags flew at Phoenix in 2004, The fewest? 2- in 1999.

The oldest race winner at Phoenix was Rusty Wallace, at age 42 years, 2 months and 11 days in 1998. The youngest was Kyle Busch at the ripe old age of 20 years, 6 months and 11 days in the Fall, 2005 race.

A look at history suggests some of 2008’s hottest drivers should like this stop. Points leader Jeff Burton (a 2-time winner) has an average finish of 5.0 over his last 5 races, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (also a 2 time winner at Phoenix) has an average finish over the last five events of 5.6, Kevin Harvick (care to guess hwo many times he’s won at this track?) has an average finish in recent races of 7.2. Denny Hamlin (7.2) and Clint Bowyer (11.4) round out the top five, based on average finishes in the last five.

Based on driving rating, the following five have earned the greatest success at Phoenix: Jimmie Johnson (115.9), Kevin Harvick (110.3), Jeff Gordon (107.0), Kurt Busch (who?) (103.7), and “Mr. Subway Himself” Tony Stewart with a 103.5.

As I said earlier, I expect a better race than Texas. While I do not subscribe to the idea that the Texas race was HORRIBLE, it was a far cry from the bumpin’ and bangin’ we had on the short tracks. But seriously, think about it, has there ever really been a good race in Texas? Not in my recent experience. Drivers will be working on a slower and shorter track and a generally flatter surface with a greater possibility for side-by-side racing.

NASCAR Buzz: What is NASCAR without a lot of complaining? Drivers and fans didn’t have tires to whine about at Texas, so now all the talk is all about the car. How soon we forget! Michael Mc Dowell is alive to race in his home state today because of that car and it’s safety features. I’m sure that not testing in Texas with the new car didn’t help, but we all have to remember that NASCAR is still in a “research and development” mode with the car. You’ve got the best drivers, engineers and a wheelbarrow load of money thrown at this sport- THEY WILL FIGURE IT OUT. One of the main ideas behind this car was it was supposed to be challenging! It is definitely that. Hey, look who’s back! Johnny Sauter is back in the #70 Haas-CNC Chevy, replacing Jeremy Mayfield, after the car fell out of the top 35. On NASCAR Now, Yates Racing owner Doug Yates says they’re be patient- holding out for the sponsorship deal they want. I hope he has deep pockets! It’s really a shame to see two very serviceable drivers like David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil driving in plain white cars…maybe we should take up a collection.

NASCAR Terminology- A NASCAR For Dummies Primer

Wedge, round of- Not to be confused with a “wedgie”, which I’m sure a few readers would liek to administer to me! According to the 2007 Edition of the Officially Licensed NASCAR Record & Fact Book, this is “adjusting the handling of the car by altering pressure on the rear springs.”

200 m.p.h. tape- This is also known as “racer’s tape.” This is duct tape so strong it will hold a banged up race car together long enough to finish a race. It is rumored that Michael Waltrip buys this tape in bulk (and sometimes Juan Montoya has to come over to borrow some).

Wedge: Term that refers to the cross weight adjustment on a race car. Now if only they could come up with a wedge to adjust Kyle Busch’s attitude. The boy can race, but man he’s obnoxious sometimes!! That’s all for this week.

Let’s go out and enjoy this race! NASCAR isn’t perfect by any means, but I’ll take this over what the NBA or Major League Baseball has become any day of the week. Until next time- keep your fender off the wall. Thanks Everybody!

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