Are You Feeling Lucky? - Phoenix Edition

Phoenix International Raceway Website
"Are You Feeling Lucky?" Returns just in time for this weekend's racing Action on a new day! Every Wednesday will be Stats Wednesday where we will include both the "Are You Feeling Lucky?" and "Stats are Just Numbers" Article Series. It all starts with Phoenix and this weekend could be a challenge. We have yet to see a non-chaser be victorious in this round and if we were to do that it'd be the first Round since Joey Logano did it in the second round last year winning Charlotte, Kansas, and Talladega. Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards are going to have an easy weekend as they prepare to head to Homestead next weekend. Here is this weekend's "Are You Feeling Lucky?" With the Pick Four Returning to the NSCS while we attempt to pick who will win the other two races in the weekend. I just have one question for you. Are you feeling lucky??

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pick Four

Kevin Harvick

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If you aren't picking Kevin Harvick to win, I don't know why because this guy has two stats that are in his hand and that is number one. Harvick is basically in a must win situation heading to Phoenix and we all know how Harvick and his team does with their backs to the wall. Number two. Phoenix is all I have to say. Kevin Harvick has the best average finish at Phoenix along with six victories in the last nine races and two of those were second place finishes. Harvick has the record at Phoenix to show that he will definitely be up front and competing for the victory. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won a rain shortened race last November but Harvick still finished second and that's a stat that could lead to him competing for his third straight Championship!

Joey Logano

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This race still probably stings for the #22 Shell Pennzoil driver and team and it's time for Logano to enter Phoenix in a position like he did at Talladega.
Logano entered Talladega a few weeks ago alright in points but a win will really help his case to move onto the next round. What did Logano do? Well he won the Hellmann's 500 and punched his ticket into this round and I think Logano can do it once again and enter the final race of the season at Homestead.
Logano has a very good track record at Phoenix also finishing 3rd in November last season. Logano has a 14th place finishing average which could be the magic number for Logano to clinch a spot in the Chase and head to Homestead to face Edwards, Johnson, and one other driver.

Denny Hamlin

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Denny Hamlin has the 5th best average at Phoenix of all Active drivers with an average finish of 11th. Hamlin doesn't only have the support from his fans but it seems that a lot of fans like Hamlin a whole lot more than his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates especially the ones who sandbagged at Talladega. This could be the year for Denny Hamlin and in these final two races, Hamlin has a pretty good track record. Hamlin could shock the world and become the first driver to win the Daytona 500 and Championship in the same season since Jimmie Johnson did it in 2013. The average finish stat and the fact that Hamlin just needs to have a good run while someone like his teammates Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth or Joey Logano have a mechanical failure or gets involved in a crash. Hamlin currently sits 6th on the Chase Grid and it's possible but the best way for Denny to move on is go out and Win the race, Like we predict he will do. 

Ryan Blaney

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The New Kid on the Block has some momentum coming off of Talladega and it comes to no surprise you find him on this list. Blaney rode up front much of last weekends race in Texas and he also has the 3rd best average finish there finishing 10th which was one of the many Top-10's Ryan has been able to land this season. A victory would make getting a Charter for next season just that more easier and I think Blaney and the Wood Brothers Racing team can find the hope they need this weekend at Phoenix which could start the Championship run for Blaney and he could make one fast run or Rookie of the Year against Chase Elliott. Blaney currently sits 18 points behind Chase on the ROTY Standings. Phoenix could be the breakout race and not to mention, Blaney has won at Phoenix before in the K&N Pro Series West back in 2011. 

NASCAR Xfinity Series Top Regular 

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I think you'd be insane not to pick Erik Jones to be the top finishing Xfinity Series regular. Like Phoenix is his house and his record their in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is insane. In four races at Phoenix in the Xfinity Series, Erik has pulled a 4th place average finish. 3 Top-5 finishes along with 4 Top-10 finishes. Erik Jones has the experience at Phoenix with one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Start, Four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, and Three starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  Jones is sitting in the good but I don't see him winning Saturday Night, I honestly see Kyle Busch or Brad Keselowski. I don't see Erik Jones missing the Final Four Next weekend either. 

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Top Regular

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I think Timothy Peters will bring home the victory on Saturday Night from Phoenix and I think it'll be something to watch. This is normally when Peters peaks or as some drivers become to get better because when you Peak you begin to fall off. Peters won last season at Phoenix and I think he can do it again. Without many outsiders racing on Friday Night, I think things could get insane especially with the feuds we've had in the truck series lately. I could also see Daniel Suarez gaining his first career victory and Peters being the top finishing Regular or Chaser and proceeding to race at Homestead for the Championship for the first time since he lost to James Buescher in 2012. 

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