This weekend, while the truckers continue their post-Daytona nap the Cupsters and claims jumpers make their annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas. The track is located across the street from an Air Force base, this coming in handy as every year team owners quietly inquire whether training at said facility could include using live ammo for strafing runs on any of their employees who try sneaking into town when they’re supposed to be working.
Las Vegas started life as a big flatter track, the kind adored by drivers as it provided ample opportunity to run pretty much anywhere without having to exert much effort save blaming the team for not setting the car up correctly. Alas, exciting racing this made not, so Bruton Smith tore the place up and put in some serious progressive banking. This made the place faster and far fan friendlier in that now you actually could run side by side without one car or the other being swiftly cast aside. It’s not a perfect solution, for nothing can make a mile and a half long track ideal for stock cars. However, it does cut down on the number of laps where a whole lotta nuttin’ is all that’s happening.
Given how we’ve barely dipped our toes in the water as far as the 2010 season is concerned, picking favorites or labeling anything a trend is an exercise in gun jumping. That said, it’ll be interesting to note if certain elements from this past Sunday’s race at Auto Club continue into this weekend. Can the RCR three amigos maintain their momentum? Will the Roushketeers find some at the kind of track they owned until last year? Will anyone from the Hendrick fab four break an axle, in which case someone’s likely to break an ankle… well, have it broken for them. Doubtful the assorted engine woes from the last race will follow anyone across the California/Nevada border.
Favorites? Oh gee, who do you think? Jimmie Johnson, Jimmie Johnson, and did I mention Jimmie Johnson? Plus the usual suspects.
And lest I forget, Danica Patrick will be in the Nationwide race, weather permitting as rain is presently in Saturday’s forecast. This will provide her with more of the vital seat time she needs to become accustomed to NASCAR. And more opportunities for assorted members of the media to beclown themselves with misogynist tirades, all set to the tune of “some of my best friends are women.” But of course.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone.
