Ryan Blaney Streaks to Pole Position at Windy Las Vegas

Ryan Blaney, the driver of the #12 Menards/Pennzoil Ford, poses for a photo after winning the Pole Award after qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

With a respite from strong gusts in the final round of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series knockout qualifying on Friday at windswept Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney posted the fastest lap of the day to earn the pole position for the third race of the season. Continue reading

Clint Bowyer is Optimistic 2018 will be a Success

Clint Bowyer, the driver of the #14 One Cure Ford, watches qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Clint Bowyer is a man of high energy and high expectation.

And the veteran driver is hopeful that now two years into his tenure with the championship-winning Stewart-Haas Racing organization, that keen spirit will continue to translate into high performance too. Continue reading

Did Atlanta Show Us a Kinder, Gentler Kevin Harvick?

Kevin Harvick, the driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Perhaps Kevin Harvick had a tinge of compassion for a rookie driver.

Perhaps he forgot for a moment that his Stewart-Haas Racing organization was no longer affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports and that SHR had switched from Chevrolets to Ford. Continue reading

Drivers feel Las Vegas Performance Crucial for Playoff Run

Kyle Larson, the driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Conceding the weather conditions may vary between this week’s spring race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the track’s inaugural Playoff race date coming in September 16, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers still remained confident Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube (at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM) would serve as a good reference point for the all-important return trip this Fall. Continue reading

#NASCARGoesWest: Las Vegas

Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 2, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

In the spirit of the “numbers game” that characterizes the Las Vegas area hosting NASCAR’s three national series this weekend, here are some jackpot trends and statistics to consider as NASCAR starts its three-race western swing (#NASCARGoesWest) with the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Continue reading