I don’t know about you, but after last weekend’s representation of the desert, I don’t ever want to see a desert again. But, here we are, in Phoenix, in the darn desert. Phoenix is weird track. Some would say it’s backwards. The front stretch of the track is completely straight, and the back stretch is crooked. It’s like a miniature road course.

When one comes to Phoenix, Stewart-Hass Racing is the team one must beat. Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch are both outstanding here. Danica Patrick isn’t as good as her teammates, but she is still decent. As for this weekend’s substitute for the injured Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon is in that seat. Dillon is a good driver, although I wouldn’t pick him to win.

One must not forget Hendrick Motorsports though. Both Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are good at Phoenix, and both have run well over the past few weekends. Kasey Kahne is not outstanding at Phoenix, but he has won here before. As for the teams youngest driver, Chase Elliot, he appears to be impressing everyone but himself. He has run well in all three races this year, but accidents have taken him out of two. While it might seem early to pick him as a race winner, I wouldn’t be shocked if Chase pulls into victory lane soon.

Joe Gibbs Racing is probably the strongest team as of now. Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500, and Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch are running very well consistently. Only Matt Kenseth is having trouble, mostly because he keeps getting either wrecked or penalized because his crew man put a wrench on the back of his car. One of these four could win this week, but they’ll have to beat Harvick.

Team Penske is coming off of a win, and both it’s drivers want another. While both are good at Phoenix, I don’t think either will be seen in victory lane. Neither seems like they are capable of beating Harvick or Busch this weekend.

Rookie Ryan Blaney is, like Chase Elliot, continuing to impress. He to has run well in all three races this  year, but he has been lucky enough to avoid the wrecks. Blaney to seems capable of winning, although I think he may take a little longer than Chase.

I don’t think I need to mention any other drivers, because before this season started I knew who I was picking in Phoenix. Kevin Harvick. Harvick has won here 7 times, and 5 times in the past 7 races. Last year he almost won the Fall race, and he probably would have won it if it hadn’t been rain shortened. I think Harvick wins, and he is closely followed by Kurt Busch.