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NASCAR: 5 Lessons Learned From Phoenix

By Michael Guadalupe

Nov 13, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (88) and Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) lead the field at the start of the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (88) and Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) lead the field at the start of the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 28, 2016; Martinsville, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) prior to practice for the Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Harvick is one of the best drivers at Phoenix but all of his experience didn’t help him win on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

It Doesn’t Matter How Good a Driver is at a Track

Heading into Phoenix Kevin Harvick was the clear favorite to win. The driver of the 4 car had won eight races previously at Phoenix and was starting in the top 10 on Sunday.

He was also in a must-win situation if he wanted to advance in the Chase.

Harvick had also been a clutch driver so far in the Chase, winning when he needed to in order to move onto each round of the Chase, so heading into Phoenix Harvick was a solid favorite and was expected to at least lead laps on Sunday.

Instead Harvick struggled early on and even after getting the issues fixed with his car he was still never able to lead laps.

The most clutch driver of the 2016 Chase failed when he needed it the most and won’t be competing at Homestead for the first time since NASCAR has implemented these rounds in the Chase.

Phoenix proved that it doesn’t matter how good a driver is at a track, anything can happen on race day.

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