2007 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400: Las Vegas Motor Speedway was reconfigured since the NEXTEL Cup stars passed under the checkered flag here a year ago. The banking was increased and speeds during testing were way up. This weekend's 2007 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 is a huge unknown. Anything could happen in Vegas this weekend.
Tickets: Speedway ticket office (800)644-4444
Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)
The Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a 1.5 mile "D" shaped race track. LVMS was reconfigured from the previous 12 degrees of banking up to 20 degrees. The extra banking and the new pavement caused speeds to be way up during testing. Las Vegas may now be one of the fastest tracks on the NEXTEL Cup circuit. We will find out for sure this weekend.
Race Distance: 267 laps = 400 miles
The Big Picture: Still early in the season the points can change a lot. The important thing for teams here is to avoid a costly DNF. No team will clinch a spot in The Chase this week, but a marginal team can make their battle a lot harder with a bad finish.
Top Ten
- Mark Martin -0
- Jeff Burton -5
- Jeff Gordon -26
- Kevin Harvick -28
- David Ragan -65
- Clint Bowyer -71
- Joe Nemechek -76
- J.J. Yeley -84
- Kyle Busch -96
- David Stremme -99
Storylines: The big story this weekend is the race track itself. When the NEXTEL Cup stars visited Vegas in January to test out the new banking speeds were way up. Elliott Sadler had the fastest lap in testing at over 188 MPH. Compare that to Kasey Kahne's qualifying record of 174.904 MPH set in 2004 and speeds are way up.
Media Coverage: TV: Fox Sunday March 11th 4:00PM Eastern.
Radio: PRN and SIRIUS Satellite
Actual Race: 4:30PM Eastern
Posted Awards: $6,381,100
Previously...: Matt Kenseth lead over half of the race and was out front when a late caution set up a green-white-checkers dash to the finish.
Jimmie Johnson was able to make the pass coming off of turn four on the final lap as they charged back to the finish line. Jimmie made his way around the outside and beat Matt back to the line by a car length.
Predictions: Roush Fenway Racing has dominated Las Vegas Motor Speedway since it opened. Roush drivers have won five of the nine previous NEXTEL Cup events held at the speedway. My primary pick this week is a two time Las Vegas Motor Speedway winner and last year's runner-up Matt Kenseth.
My backup pick this week is 2006 Las Vegas winner Jimmie Johnson. Johnson is fast on this type of race track and his Hendrick Motorsports team can make the adjustments necessary to adapt to the brand new race track. Jimmie Johnson will be a factor in this race again this year.
