NASCAR honestly does nothing for me and I like cars! It is a big event in our house where the boys get together to watch so I figured I should attempt to get on board. I decided to get more involved and pay some attention to NASCAR this year so I'm presenting you with my Wife's Guide to NASCAR for the Phoenix The Profit on CNBC 500 race.
I was inspired to create this guide for a few reasons:
- Maybe if I showed a little interest in the sport I might like it
- If I know a few insider tips I might just look like a genius when all the boys are over on Sunday
- I'm going to have to find a way to live with NASCAR in my life so I decided to embrace it instead of fight it
Frank has been to a few live races now including Phoenix and Sundays in our house are known as race day. I've even been known to take advantage of that fact and ask for things while the race is on because I know the answer is always yes 😉 …. that's our little secret though. I'm going to share the information from my perspective, someone who honestly has no clue so if you know a little about NASCAR this might bore you but if you're learning you might just want to grab your favorite beverage and take a read. I've been taking notes all week from the boys and I even tuned in to a few of the NASCAR qualifying races, imagine that!
So the details of the race:
Track – Phoenix International Raceway
Race – The Profit on CNBC 500
Date – March 2, 2014 (Sprint Cup Series)
So what exactly does the 500 in The Profit on CNBC 500 stand for?
Simply put it is a 500 km long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series motor race held at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. The race consists of 312 laps on the 1 mile (1.6 km) asphalt tri-oval and is the second race of the 2014 Sprint Cup Series championship.
So how are the starting positions decided?
There is always qualifying before the race to decide the starting positions and this is the first year that a new qualifying method will be used. The old qualifying was one car on the track and their fastest speed dictated their starting position. The new qualifying method, group qualifying, creates more excitement in the qualifying round and gives fans a little more to watch. It breaks down on the 1-mile track to:
- 30-minute first round with all vehicles
- 10-minute break
- 10-minute second round comprised of the fastest 12 cars
I thought it would be fun to share the top three drivers I think you should watch at Phoenix The Profit on CNBC 500 and a few points that might help you sound smart on Sunday! I have to say I'm surprised at how much buzz there is on Twitter in regards to NASCAR and I think it all has to do with my first pick!
Who won the pole position (the first car in the starting lineup)?
#2 Brad Keselowski – pole sitter @keselowski
- First pole at Phoenix
- Won sprint cup championship two years ago then missed the chase last year
- Teammate Joey Logano is starting second on the front row with him
- 5th fastest during Saturday's first practice
- Keselowski visited military vets Feb 3rd and surprised several vets with tickets to the Sunday race on behalf of his foundation Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation
- His crew chief Paul Wolfe signed a four-year extension
- Keselowski had a big part of NASCAR exploding on Twitter when he pulled out his phone and was tweeting during a red flag at Daytona when the jet dryer blew up. Drivers are no longer allowed to carry phones in cars.
Who won the Phoenix race in 2013?
- Primary sponsor is Fastenal
- Usually runs well in Phoenix
- Last season of contract with Roush Fenway Racing
- Always does a backflip out of the car when he wins and runs through the stands
- Driving Subway car in Phoenix
- Married with two kids
Who's coming from a win at the Daytona 500?
#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr @DaleJr
- Most popular driver last 11 years
- Just joined Twitter @DaleJr and he is blowing up on Twitter. Kinda a big deal in NASCAR world people have been wanting this since twitter got big with NASCAR. Danica Patrick, the female NASCAR racer, is the only one over 1 million followers!
- Driving a National Guard car
- His father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., died in a tragic crash in 2001 at Daytona 500
- Fun fact – he has raced with a broken collarbone
A few side notes that you might want to take into consideration when sitting down to watch the race are weather could be an issue, rain delays already on Saturday. Sunday calls for 20% chance of rain. Make lots of extra food trust me you might need it! My buffalo chicken dip is to die for!
A few other talking points are from the Saturday practice a top 5:
- Harvick #4
- McMurray #1
- Larson #42 (who also happens to be a rookie)
- Earnhardt Jr #88
- Keslowoski #2 (pole position)
I know I've thrown a lot at you but you can handle it! Show those boys you know what you're talking about and surprise them this weekend. I know I'll surprise a few people on Sunday!
As always thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed my new Wife's Guide to NASCAR!
