The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series will stay out west this week to compete at Phoenix Raceway. After two consecutive races on the 1.5-mile tracks, the cars will now get to see what they have on a 1-mile track. Phoenix is officially considered an intermediate track, but if you ask anyone in the garage, they will tell you that it races like a short track.
NASCAR added the PJ1 (sticky stuff) to the track last year and many of the drivers said it really helped provide another lane to pass in, but Phoenix is still one of the toughest tracks on the schedule for drivers to pass other cars. It is also one of the shortest races of the season (312 miles), so that means there is not a lot of time for a driver to work his way through the field or for the team to adjust the car. Track position will be important Sunday.
Here are the stats you need to know for the Instacart 500…
Driver Rating Last Year at Phoenix
Driver Rating is always a good statistic to use because it incorporates a little bit of everything throughout the race and paints a picture of which drivers had the fast cars. The drivers who were good at Phoenix in the past, will be good Sunday.
Green Flag Passes Last Year at Phoenix
It is not easy to make a pass at Phoenix. Drivers who know when to get in the throttle and when to get on their brakes will be able to pass a lot of cars. Kevin Harvick said, “There is an art to making a pass at Phoenix. Some drivers are better than others at it.” Green Flag Passes is a good statistic to use so we can see which drivers can work their way through the field Sunday.
Laps Run in the Top-15 Last Year at Phoenix
We want drivers to run up front, score Stage points, lead laps and ultimately finish upfront. This statistic shows the drivers who spent the most time at the front of the field in the two races at Phoenix last year.
Laps Led Last Year at Phoenix
This is good information to know if your Fantasy NASCAR league awards bonus points for leading a lap during the race. It is also good information to help you determine the dominators for your DFS contest.
Fastest Laps Last Year at Phoenix
This is good information to know for building your DraftKings lineups. The game awards .45 points per fastest laps run, so you want drivers on this list in your lineups.
*Stats from NASCAR Media Website
** Photos from NASCAR Media Website
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