From one desert to another, Phoenix is the next stop on the NASCAR Goes West tour for 2017.
Winter took one last shot at the East Coast with snow and ice this week, but NASCAR drivers won’t have to worry about any of that on the second leg of this year’s western swing. Phoenix Raceway is preparing to host the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series on the first one-mile track of the season.
The Cup Series will be looking for its fourth different winner in as many weeks. Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. have all found their way to Victory Lane in 2017, but several other drivers have been knocking on the door. Kevin Harvick has been fast when his car has held up, and Kyle Larson has been near the front at the end of all three races.
In the XFINITY Series, Phoenix marks the start of the 2017 Dash 4 Cash program, a change from last year. With less Cup Series drivers allowed to take part in the D4C races and stages helping to determine who’s eligible for the bonus money, it should be interesting to keep tabs on come Saturday.
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Unlike last weekend, both races are on the main FOX network this time. Here’s the full rundown of what’s on when and which channel to watch:
Friday, March 17
- XFINITY Series practice, 1 p.m., Fox Sports 1
- Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, 2 p.m., Fox Sports 1
- XFINITY Series practice, 4 p.m., Fox Sports 1
- XFINITY Series final practice, 6 p.m., Fox Sports 1
- Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, 7:45 p.m, Fox Sports 1
Saturday, March 18
- Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, noon, Fox Sports 2
- XFINITY Series qualifying, 1:05 p.m., Fox Sports 2
- Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, 2:30 p.m., Fox Sports 2
- XFINITY Series DC Solar 200, 4 p.m., FOX
Sunday, March 19
- Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 500, 3:30 p.m., FOX