If Kevin Harvick had to pick one racetrack for a “win-or-go-home” scenario, CV Products Trackside team wouldn’t fault him for choosing Phoenix International Raceway. That’s because Harvick boasts a series-best five wins at the one-mile tri-oval and has taken the checkered flag in three of the last four races there, including the past two.
That’s just one of the storylines we’re following with respect to this weekend’s racing action. Here’s the rest:
Lucas Oil 150
Series: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
When: Friday, November 7
Racetrack: Phoenix International Raceway — Phoenix, AZ
What to Watch for: It’s down to the seasoned veteran versus the rising star in tonight’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship battle. With just two races left in the 2015 campaign, defending champion Matt Crafton leads Ryan Blaney by 23 points heading into tonight’s Lucas Oil 150. No matter the outcome at the final race of the year — Homestead — at least one championship record will be set. Crafton would be the first back-to-back champion in the 20-year history of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, while Blaney would be the series’ youngest champion at 20 years, 10 months and 14 days. Before heading to Miami, the two drivers will go at it Phoenix International Raceway for Friday’s Lucas Oil 150 (right now on FOX Sports 1 but the racing hasn’t started yet due to a power outage). Both have performed well at the one-mile tri-oval. Blaney boasts a pair of top-10 finishes in as many starts, while Crafton has four top-five and nine top-10 showings in 13 races at Phoenix. Neither has won there.
How to watch from home: FOX SPORTS 1 starting at 5:30pm EDST
How to find CV Trackside: We’re in the pits (you’ll need a Pit Pass to get to us)
DAV 200 – Honoring America’s Veterans
Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series
When: Saturday, November 8
Racetrack: Phoenix International Raceway — Phoenix, AZ
What You Need to Know:
- The NASCAR Nationwide Series championship is Chase Elliott’s to lose.
- The rest of the final positions are in flux.
- Regan Smith’s second-place position in the series standings is susceptible to challenge by third-place Brian Scott (-15 behind Smith), fourth-place Elliott Sadler (-20) and fifth-place Ty Dillon (-27).
- When the series went to Phoenix earlier this season, three of these four drivers finished in the top 10, with Sadler claiming the best finish of the four at sixth-place; followed by Smith (eighth) and Dillon (10th). Scott finished 11th.
- If Smith can hold on to second-place in the points, it will be his best series career standings finish – his previous best was third last season.
How to Watch From Home: 4pm EDST on ESPN
How to find CV Trackside: Use your Pitt Pass to visit us in the pitts
Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500
Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
When: Sunday, November 9
Racetrack: Phoenix International Raceway — Phoenix, AZ
What You Need to Know: It’s difficult not to talk about Brad Keselowski. On a late restart last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, Keselowski attempted to shoot the gap between Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson for the victory – similar to his move that won him the Chase opener at Chicagoland. He failed to make it through, popping Gordon’s left-rear tire on contact and plummeting the No. 24 driver from second to 29th. After his third-place Texas finish, Keselowski now ranks seventh in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, just five points behind Jeff Gordon for the final spot to be among the Championship 4. The 2012 NSCS title winner has one more shot to either close the points gap or win to make the Championship 4 at Homestead – this weekend’s Quicken Loans Race For Heroes 500. In 10 starts at Phoenix, Keselowski boasts three top fives and a sixth-place finish. He won the pole and took third at the one-mile tri-oval in March.
How to Watch From Home: 3pm EDST on ESPN
How to find CV Trackside: We’re in the pits (a Pit Pass is required to get to us)
World of Outlaws World Finals
Series: World of Outlaws
When: Thurs., November 6 – Sat., November 8
Racetrack: Charlotte Dirt Track — Charlotte, NC
What You Need to Know: Dirt fans from all over flock to The Dirt Track at Charlotte to witness the World of Outlaws World Finals. Serving as the season finale for dirt, the World Finals features the most successful drivers of the season from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the big-block modifieds of the Super DIRTcar Series. Full racing programs are on tap for all three divisions with each night highlighted by $12,000-to-win main events for both the sprint cars and late models and $8,000-to-win main events for the Big-Block Modifieds.
