I visited Las Vegas for the first time last October. It was one of the most enjoyable trips I’ve ever taken. I was only there three days, which is probably a good thing because I had “the itch.” I was fortunate enough to win at the Golden Nugget and Binion’s playing blackjack but managed to give most of it back just hours before the flight home.

If you ever go, here’s a tip. Don’t fall victim to the free gift. You’ll end up spending four hours touring a timeshare you never intended to buy in exchange for two tickets to a comedy show you won’t attend. At least that’s what I hear…

As for Sunday’s race, it was about as exciting as a timeshare presentation. Fortunately, the race didn’t last four hours.

In all seriousness, Kevin Harvick stunk up the show. It happens. Martin Truex Jr. made it his hobby last year. Dale Earnhardt made a career of it. You don’t have to like it, but you have to respect it. What Harvick has done the past two weeks is very impressive. I said it last week, but it sure looks like that No. 4 team is back to its championship form. And now he gets to go to Phoenix, his best track.

Other random thoughts:

-Matt DiBenedetto with a very solid 22nd place finish. For that team, it might as well be a top ten. I’m rooting for this guy. Hopefully, someone gives him a legit shot.

-A very nice rebound for Jimmie Johnson after what could have been a third straight disaster to begin the season. The 48 team is nowhere near where it needs to be, but salvaging a 12th place finish was big.

-Aric Almirola is finally showing what he can do now that he’s in good equipment. He’s also reminding us that a strong car doesn’t guarantee success. His predecessor proved that.

-I thought the Camping World Truck Series race was great. I spoke to Ben Rhodes afterwards and he was very frustrated with a seventh place finish. He thinks anything less than a win or top five is a disappointment. Rhodes is setting the bar high and I can appreciate that. In the grand scheme, however, Rhodes is doing just fine. He is one of just three drivers in the series with top ten finishes in all three races this season. The other two are Johnny Sauter and Grant Enfinger.

Until next time, thanks for reading the NASCAR Fix!

-JW