I'm pretty excited to sit down and write the second edition of A Wife’s Guide to NASCAR for the Las Vegas Kobalt Tools 400. Last week's Phoenix race was a bit more exciting because of the research I had been doing. I guess all I needed was a challenge to get more into the whole NASCAR thing and embrace it instead of fighting it. This week I'm bringing you some wife's insider tips to the Las Vegas Kobalt Tools 400.
The boys are actually at the race this weekend and have Dustin at his first NASCAR experience. They're all having a blast! This is also the first time they got passes for the pits so they've been able to see more than what the Neon Garage offers. They had the opportunity to get up close and personal with #99 Carl Edwards and they say he is the nicest guy ever and went out of his way to make Dustin's day!
So let's get into the details of the race! I'll be sharing a few key points and three drivers just like last week so you have something to talk about this Sunday as well! Kick back and enjoy.
Track – Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Race – Kobalt Tools 400
Date – March 9, 2014 (Sprint Cup Series)
So what does the 400 stand for in the Kobalt Tools 400?
The race is a 400-mile long race consisting of 267 laps because the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile track!
Last week I talked about how the new qualifying method and in this race there were three qualifying rounds:
- 25 min – 1st round with all cars
- 5 min – break
- 10 min – 2nd round comprised of the fastest 24 cars
- 5 min – break
- 5 min – 3rd round comprised of the fastest 12 cars
Who won the pole position (the first car in the starting lineup)?
Joey Logano – pole sitter
- the first driver to compete in NASCAR’s three major divisions in the same season
- dominated the Nationwide circuit in 2012, notching nine victories in only 22 starts
- nicknamed Slice Bread as a rookie.
- drives for Team Penske with Brad Keselowski who won the pole last week!
Who’s coming from a win at The Profit on CNBC 500 in Phoenix?
- In our house he's known as Race Beer Car (thanks to Dustin) because of his Budweiser sponsorship
- Known as “The Closer” for winning the race by leading only the last few laps
- Has a 1.5-year-old son Keelan who just happens to be a little cutie!
- Left RCR to join Stewart Hass Racing this year along with #14 Tony Stewart, #41 Kurt Busch and #10 Danica Patrick
- One of the more vocal drivers. This year he called out the Daytona Track for spending upgrades on the facilities but not completing the safer barriers around the inside of the track. Also last year he made a bold statement about leaving RCR because of the owner’s grandchildren who are up-and-coming racers.
Who won the Las Vegas race in 2013?
- part of Joe Gibbs with #11 Denny Hamlin and #18 Kyle Bush
- finished 12th last week in Phoenix
- runner-up last year for the Sprint Cup championship
- 7 wins last year, career-best
A few things about the Las Vegas race:
- Only one race per year in Vegas but Champions Week has been held here for the last 5 years, which was a blast this past December! (more to come on that soon)
- Great track for fans with the Neon garage, and hauler parade, not to mention staying in Vegas!!
- Last year there was a rain delay on Sunday so keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
As always thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed my new Wife’s Guide to NASCAR!