The Phoenix race may be a case of “last man standing”

The First Reid: The Phoenix race may be a case of “last man standing”

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

So you thought Talladega was intense?

Wait until next week, when the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN) decides which four drivers advance to the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway with their championship eligibility intact.

“Next week’s going to be pretty crazy,” predicted Kevin Harvick, runner-up in Sunday’s AAA Texas 500. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Harvick goes to Phoenix with a score still unsettled. After Matt Kenseth wrecked Harvick at Martinsville, Harvick vowed revenge.

“He won’t win this championship,” Harvick promised. “If we don’t, he won’t.”

There was no payback at Texas, where Harvick chose not to endanger his own car, which he felt was a potential race winner.  At Phoenix, if Harvick’s car isn’t just right, Kenseth may need to watch his back.

Same with Brad Keselowski, who on Sunday at Texas added Jeff Gordon to an enemies list that already included Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Kenseth.

Gordon, who finished 29th after contact from Keselowski on a late restart cut the left rear tire on the No. 24 Chevrolet, also goes to Phoenix with revenge on his mind.

“You don’t go slam someone and cut their left rear tire,” Gordon said. “If that’s what it takes, then no problem. We can do the same thing to him.”

The grudges simply add a level of intensity to a race that will eliminate four drivers from championship consideration. And that alone could make for a wild and crazy afternoon.