Sprint Cup field running at Phoenix: Lots of stories to watch

Ray Slover

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Sprint Cup field running at Phoenix: Lots of stories to watch image

NASCAR's Phoenix race stands in stark contrast to its first two races. No rain, naturally, in Arizona. Instead, race-time temperatures were in in the 90s for Sunday's CampingWorld.500.

Drivers expected the one-mile track to be slick, and several spoke before the race about letting tips from Saturday's Xfinity race. The quirky track is flat with a two grooves, so the lower groove would be one to take. Check the live leaderboard.

MORE: Crash ends Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s day early | NASCAR video highlights

Stories Sporting News is following:

— Oops.

— Kurt Busch makes his first appearance of the season, having been reinstated on Wednesday. Busch starts eighth.

Before the race, Busch appeared to be comfortable and said he is confident while driving under this year's rules package, with less downforce and lower horsepower. His plan: Feel out the competition, go to school off teammate Kevin Harvick and be prepared to make his push in the race's second half.

Because of his success, Harvick is the Stewart-Haas Racing team leader. Tony Stewart, the team's co-owner, admits as much, especially because Stewart has found no success at all to start the season.

By the way, co-owner Gene Haas reaffirmed his support for Busch before the race. "I always believed Kurt," Haas told ESPN.com. "I still believe him today."

Haas said of Busch: "He's very focused on getting back to what he likes doing. I think he really appreciates what he has. He realizes that racing is a privilege and it can be taken away."

— Kasey Kahne made his 400th Sprint Cup start. He rolled to the green flag from the ninth position in the 43-car starting grid.

Teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. was getting ribbed for a present his dog left in Martin Truex Jr.'s motorhome. Puppies will be puppies.

— Everyone was talking about Harvick, who leads the Chase standings after three weeks. Second at Daytona and Atlanta, winner last week Las Vegas, Harvick began the race from pole position.

Not everyone made it through inspections without problems.

— Harvick got an early challenge from Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski.

— Crashes started early.

Vickers said he had no idea what happened.

"I felt really good about the first lap," he told Toyota Racing's onsite reporter. Last I heard I was coming out of (turn) four and I heard I was all clear and I was against the wall and then I just got drilled from behind and turned into the wall. It seems kind of early to be using the bumper, but I need to see a replay."

Vickers spent 79 laps getting repairs.

— The field is still trying to catch Harvick, but MRN is reporting his tires are not gripping the track like they should. That could make for an interesting finish, though he still leads the way.

— Danica Patrick, running 26th, spins out and heads to pit road. Kurt Busch now seventh, trying to move up the field again. Earlier, Tony Stewart brought out the caution. So one half of Stewart-Haas is doing well today while the other half ... not so much.

— Kevin Harvick wins again, leading 225 laps total. It's his second win of the season and fourth straight at Phoenix. He's also won five of the past six races there.

Jamie McMurray has his best finish of the season at second followed by Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch, in his first race of the season.

Jeff Gordon places ninth, Jimmie Johnson is 11th and Earnhardt finishes last.

Read more on the race here.

Ray Slover