The unpredictable season continues, William Byron the victor at Homestead. That makes the last three winners Byron, Christopher Bell, and Michael McDowell respectively. Whoever had those guys circled for the first three races should probably go out and play Lotto soon because they sure know how to pick ’em! Nevertheless, it makes for an exciting start to the year as we wait for some of those favorites to finally break through. Today, good fortune continues to be the theme as we deal with Lady Luck herself in Las Vegas.
Here’s what to look for:
–Joey Logano was the winner last Spring, and holds the second best average (5.6) over the last ten races among active drivers. He finished 14th in the Fall, but had been 10th or better before then, including a 1st in each of the previous early season tilts. Logano — driving the Pennzoil car — will be one to compete with again today. He’ll start 15th.
–Kurt Busch won here in the fall in a highly emotional finish for him. Neither he nor brother Kyle had ever won at their home track. Kurt is well down the list in terms of average over the last ten races (21.2), but he was even worse off than that before he hit Victory Lane last September.
–Brad Keselowski had his worst finish in ten starts last Fall, finishing 13th. His previous worst in that span was 7th, leaving him with the best average finish in that timeframe: 4.6. This type of track favors his abilities, winning here three times since 2014.
–Matt DiBenedetto has yet to win in the Cup Series, coming very close at Bristol before. This is a track that has entered his wheelhouse, somehow, and did so in a hurry. Last year, he ran runner-up both races. That is two 2nd place finishes in his last two attempts. You’ve GOT to feel good about heading back to that track the following season where underdogs have been winning. Go get ’em, Matty D!
–Chase Briscoe is a rookie this year, but has seen success at Las Vegas in the Xfinity Series. We just finished talking about how great Matt DiBenedetto did last year, would you believe that Briscoe bagged TWO trophies at Vegas in 2020? With odds like that, he could be the first Chase to win in the Cup Series this season.
Last year at Las Vegas we started our NASCAR Food Tour in a little different light, going with some Pennzoil-inspired Fat Boy Nachos. This time around, we went with something they actually eat in Nevada all of the time. Later on we’re honoring Lisa’s late father with a top sirloin roast and some potatoes, but we kicked it off this morning with:
Eggs Benedict! Now, I’ve only had them once before and I definitely wasn’t a fan. Lisa makes some of the best food I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, so I figured to give it another crack with her at the helm. I’m not a fan of poached eggs, let me say that up front. She’s a big fan of them so I thought that she’d dig them at minimum. I think she pulled it off the way it is supposed to taste, and the hollandaise sauce was executed well. I can now say that THESE are the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had. Nice job, Leese!
Coverage of the race starts on FOX at 3:30pm, green flag scheduled for 3:48pm.
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