Time to Shine in the Valley of the Sun
CORNELIUS, N.C. — The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series holds its second of three consecutive West Coast races Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway – the first short track of the 2015 season.
The one-mile oval produces its share of beating and banging. It’s a track that Michael Waltrip Racing driver Clint Bowyer enjoys and if stats are any indication, it’s a track he seems to enjoy most in the spring. His two top-five finishes and four of his top-10 finishes came during the spring races.
Currently 14th in points, Bowyer is looking to keep his 5-hour ENERGY team moving up in the standings. A sure way to make that happen is to shine in the Valley of the Sun with a good finish.
What are the keys to getting around Phoenix?
“Having rear grip is the main thing. The repave a few years ago made it so one minute you are going along just fine and the next the rear end wants to come around on you. It’s what makes racing there so challenging. There’s not much banking so that makes it even more difficult. Getting that balance right so you’ve got enough rear grip is what everyone will be working on all weekend and looking for in the race.”
CHASSIS
Chassis No. 798 serves as the primary chassis for Bowyer at Phoenix. It raced last year at Phoenix (13th and 40th), California in March (16th), Richmond (43rd and 3rd) and Loudon in July (6th). Chassis No. 809 serves as the back-up chassis. This chassis raced in 2014 at New Hampshire in September (14th), Kansas in May (23rd), Pocono in June (11th) as well as Pocono in August (4th).
