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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Week 3 Preview

Las Vegas Motor Speedway 
 
A look ahead at the third race on Nascar's 2013 Schedule at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards capped off a 70 race win less streak last Sunday by finally adding one to the win column. This could be the start of something for Edwards as he has been very good here in the past.  The last 3 years Edwards has posted 5th, 1st, and 12th in Las Vegas and will be looking to keep his momentum going this Sunday. Here is a look at last year's results: 2012 Kobalt Tools 400.
 
 
The Good: (Drivers with good results in the past three races at Vegas)
  • Carl Edwards- With the win last week and his past results, look for another strong performance this year at Las Vegas. Best Chance Forecast: Staying hot with a Top 5.
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  • Tony Stewart- Tony was the only driver not to have problems out of the Stewart-Hass garage at Phoenix. Smoke finished 8th and has a good track record the past three races at Vegas posting 2 top 5's and the other a 7th place finish. Best Chance Forecast: If his car stays in one piece look for a Top 5.
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  • Jimmie Johnson- JJ once again is starting strong and making early season points at even more of a premium. Johnson has a 2nd and a win in his last three appearance's in Vegas with a small miss step in a 16th place finish in 2011. Best Chance Forecast: JJ may have a bit of a slip here and just misses the top 5. Look for a possible Top 10.
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  • Clint Bowyer- Has been Mr. Consistent at Vegas the past years. Posting a 6th, 15th, 9th, and 2nd in the past four races here. Also has been very consistent on the season so far. Best Chance Forecast: Look for Clint to break the Top 5 this time around.
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  • Others who may make some noise: Dale Earnhardt Jr (10th, 8th,16th, and 10th), Kevin Harvick (11th, 17th, 2nd, and 12th), and Jeff Gordon (12th, 36th, 3rd, and 6th).
 
The Bad: (Drivers who have had their struggles the past three races at Vegas)
  • Brad Keselowski- Man has he had his struggles here since joining the Sprint Cup. BK has posted finishes of 32nd, 26th, and 26th in his last three at Vegas. Maybe this is the year BK and Chad Wolfe will keep his car running and in one piece. Best Chance Forecast: Starting the season hot, look for BK to turn it around at Vegas with the new Gen 6 cars and post a Top 15.
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  • Kyle Busch- If BK has had his struggles, Kyle has been their right with him. Posting a 23rd, 38th, and 15th in the past three. Kyle has shown he can race here when his car is right, posting not only the Pole but also a win in 2009. Best Chance Forecast: Kyle has struggled this year with car issues, but when he has been on he has been fast. Look for Kyle to break out this week and post a Top 5.
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  • Others who have had their struggles: Denny Hamlin (Up and down 20th, 7th, and 19th), and Kasey Kahne (Last two years have been slow with a 19th and 14th).
 
Laying Low: (Guys who could surprise that have had mixed results in the past)
  • Ryan Newman- In his last two starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway he has been good, very good with two top 5's. The wild card is will the Stewart-Hass Team keep cars on the track. Newman has looked pretty good when he is on the Track so a possible top 10 is within reach.
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  • Marcus Ambrose- Seems to always fly under the radar, has had a good start so far but hasn't been outstanding with no top 10's. Though at Vegas in the past 3 years Ambrose has posted 13th, 4th, and 14th. Look for Ambrose to flirt with the top 10 this week and most likely at least finishing in the top 15.
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  • Paul Menard- Starting the season in the middle of the standings where Menard seems comfortable. Menard has had better results each of the past three years in Vegas finishing 7th, 12th, and 17th. Maybe Menard is figuring out the track, or maybe he is just staying out of trouble (only one DNF last season). Look for Menard to stay consistent again finishing in the top 20, but he could have a chance to notch his first top 10 of the season.
Other News from Las Vegas Motor Speedway:
     
 


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