Overall, out of the nine writers who sent in picks last week, only two went 0-0 in their picks: Matt LaFlair and Kyle Ocker. Ryan O’Hara and Mark Odor both correctly picked Jeff Gordon as the race winner at Phoenix. O’Hara was also able to pick Ryan Newman, who finished fifth, as his dark horse pick.
Updated standings after Phoenix:
| Kyle Brandt | 16 |
| Kyle Ocker | 11 |
| Ryan O’Hara | 11 |
| Roberta Cowan | 9 |
| Jeffrey Boswell | 6 |
| Mark Odor | 6 |
| Ed Coombs | 5 |
| Barry Albert | 3 |
| Ashley McCubbin | 0 |
| Ben Gunby | 0 |
| Matt LaFlair | 0 |
Barry Albert
Who I Think Will Win: Jimmy Johnson
My Dark Horse Pick: Jeff Gordon
Jeffrey Boswell
Who I Think Will Win: Jimmie Johnson
My Dark Horse Pick: David Reutimann
Kyle Brandt
Who I Think Will Win: Jimmie Johnson
My Dark Horse Pick: Clint Bowyer
Comments: It’s no secret that Jimmie Johnson has been of the strongest drivers at Vegas, and has been dominant on the 1.5 mile cookie-cutters. Clint Bowyer has the second best average finish among active drivers since 2009 (5.00), and looks to Vegas to get his season back on track after a rough start.
Matt LaFlair
Who I Think Will Win: Jimmie Johnson
My Dark Horse Pick: Jeff Burton
Comments: Well against all my inner thoughts and feelings as a fan on all racing, I have to go with history on these picks. As much as I hope he hits the wall on lap 1, Jimmie Johnson has an extensive history at Las Vegas Motor Speedway including 4 wins. He will be there at the end on Sunday. As for Jeff Burton, another history pick. He has the most laps led at Las Vegas with 453 out of 3293 in 12 races at LVMS.
Ed Coombs
Who I Think Will Win: Kyle Busch
My Dark Horse Pick: Jack Rousch
Comments: Neither pick is a surprise or dark horse. Kyle Busch and his brother Kurt want to win soooo badly at their home track that either one should be my pick but I will take Kyle. Matt Kenseth is really my dark horse for points purposes. He has always done well at Vegas and barring any on track incident I expect him to be a factor all day long.
Roberta Cowan
Who I Think Will Win: Kyle Busch
My Dark Horse Pick: Dale Jr.
Kyle Ocker
Who I Think Will Win: Matt Kenseth
My Dark Horse Pick: Marcos Ambrose
Ryan O’Hara
Who I Think Will Win: Jeff Gordon
My Dark Horse Pick: Mark Martin
Comments: Jeff Gordon dominated the race last year and would have won if not for a bad pit call for two-tires. Mark Martin won the inaugural race and is dedicated to making the best out of his final year with Hendrick Motorsports.
