As Nascar drives into it’s seventh week, drivers and fans alike have a lot to think about. Kevin Harvicks unbelievable dominance, Ryan Newmans penalties, Danica Patrick’s surprising run at Martinsville, amoung other things. But now that the off week is over, it’s time to get back to business. And that business is the Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Texas is fast, very fast. Last year Tony Stewart set a qualifying lap that averged over 200 miles per hour. That is fast. But that speed can be rather dangerous. If you hit the wall that fast you can hurt yourself pretty bad. But nothing like that has happened recently.

Kevin Harvick has been the story at 1.5 mile tracks for the past several races, and he is a favorite to win here. However, he has had company in the past couple races. His teammate Kurt Busch. Busch has had outstanding speed at 1.5 mile tracks this year, and unlike Harvick, he is driving for his first victory in over a year. But they may have some more company from their other teammates Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick. While the two of them are not off to the fastest start, both have begun to show speed recently, and while they are not yet as fast as Kurt and Kevin, they are gaining momentum.

Another driver with recent speed at 1.5 mile tracks is Jeff Gordon. He has been very fast the past few weeks, and he has been very good at Texas the past few races here. Teammate Jimmie Johnson has won a race here every year since 2012, but never the Spring race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne, the other two Hendrick drivers, have not been as fast here. However, last Spring, Dale Jr. was very noticeable. He slammed the wall and went up in flames. That was very noticeable.

Joe Gibbs racing is coming off their first win of the year, and they have a new weapon this year for Texas. Carl Edwards. Edwards has won numerous times at Texas, and he has a fast car. Teammates Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, and David Ragan have not had very notable results at Texas, so they are not very big favorites.

Penske Racing has only two drivers, but both of them are wicked fast at Texas. They ran 1-2 for most of last years Duck Commander 500, and Joey Logano won the race. Brad Keslowski ran well last year in both races, finishing third in the Fall race. Both have had great cars this year, so don’t bet against these two being at the front.

Teammates Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson both have had very fast cars this year and both are very hungry for a victory. Their team hasn’t won a points race since 2013, so a win this weekend would be a big boost for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Richard Childress Racing is coming of a rough week, but nothing would help the team more than a victory. Like Ganassi Racing, they haven’t claimed a victory since 2013, so the team is missing victory lane.

Every team wants to win, but only one can. And to be honest, this race has the makings of a Kevin Harvick domination. However, several drivers have managed to equal his speed at some point or the other. Two drivers who seem like they can hang with Kevin are Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch. So should Harvick have some slight mistake, the two of them are prime candidates to take advantage of it. But, there is only one way to find out who will win. Let’s race.