Before the wheels came off
Cup series returns to site of the last ‘normal’ race in 2020
AVONDALE, Ariz. — The big story at Phoenix Raceway one year ago was the remarkable recovery of veteran driver Ryan Newman, who strolled around the infield sipping a soft drink just weeks after a horrific crash in the Daytona 500 had everyone fearing the worst.
It was an entertaining race on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with Joey Logano holding off Kevin Harvick for his second win of the season. Kyle Larson finished fourth, continuing his rise with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Then came COVID-19, and everything in auto racing — and the world — changed.
“Gosh, it doesn’t feel like a year ago,” driver Ryan Blaney said.
After 12 long months, it’ll be a much quieter scene for this year’s spring race in the desert, with a smaller crowd, masks, social distancing and everything else that’s been deemed necessary for sports to continue during a pandemic. It’s a compromise that’s become somewhat normal, even if it’s less than ideal.
“I miss a lot,” Logano said. “Obviously, the fans not being at the racetrack, the energy that they bring is second to none, so that quietness is awful. I like hearing the cheering, the booing and everything in between. I like that. I like having our sponsors at the racetrack and people walking through the garage thinking it’s the coolest thing they’ve ever seen when they see these cars up close.”
NASCAR’s season was paused for two months after Logano’s win at Phoenix. The sport was one of the first in the nation to return on May 17 in Darlington, South Carolina, during a one-day event in front of no fans.
The slow march to normalcy continues in Phoenix.
Larson’s return: Little did anyone know that Larson’s fourth-place finish in Phoenix would be his last race with Chip Ganassi Racing.
The driver’s use of a racial slur while participating in an online race last April cost him his job, his reputation and his ability to attract the corporations that fund a race team. Larson wasn’t sure he’d race in NASCAR again until Rick Hendrick took a chance on a him.
Last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Larson raced to his first NASCAR victory since he was reinstated from a nearly yearlong suspension. He was hired by Hendrick Motorsports when NASCAR said the suspension would lift at the start of this year.
Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only Black fulltime driver, was one of the first competitors to congratulate Larson.
“It meant a lot for Bubba to come to victory lane,” Larson said. “He’s always believed in me. That was special.”
Homecoming for McDowell: Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell will be racing close to his hometown of Glendale, Arizona, where he grew up racing karts before moving to North Carolina to pursue his NASCAR dreams.
The 36-year-old McDowell was an unlikely Daytona winner, earning his first Cup victory in his 358th start.
McDowell returned to his old kart track in Glendale on Thursday, where he raced under the lights against local kids aged 7 to 16. He signed autographs and brought his Daytona 500 trophy for fans to check out.
Keep it cool: Last year’s spring race in Phoenix was a hot one, with temperatures pushing close to 90 degrees.
Sunday’s race should be quite a bit cooler, with a high around 70 degrees expected, but the rain that fell in the desert on Friday and early Saturday should be gone.
Ready to decorate? Whether starting from scratch or swapping out the old and bringing in the new, there are some pitfalls to avoid.
Here are suggestions that are near the top of the decorator don’ts list.
Artificial dried flowers:
These instantly feel dated and old-fashioned in a modern decor scheme. Instead, opt for artificial palm leaves, grasses or succulents.
Bookshelves crowded with books:
Yes, they are called bookshelves for a reason, but they can also be used to showcase beautiful accessories. Leave some shelves empty for a more minimalist look.
Two-tone:
This was a common trend in kitchen design for a while. If looking to achieve a modern, sleek look, instead mix in interesting materials.
The wall of tiny things:
Instead of a wall of frames or mirrors of various sizes, go big and bold to better help anchor a space.
Wall-to-wall carpeting:
Most homeowners simply prefer hardwood flooring.
The overworked workspace:
Clear the clutter and opt for a workspace in which work can be tucked away.
Framed posters:
Don’t frame an inexpensive poster and use it for art. Don’t think you can afford a canvas? Instead opt for an affordable wall hanging or framed photograph you print yourself.
Acrylic and plastic:
Not only do these materials often crack, they also tend to look milky over time. Opt for an item that is considered “indoor/outdoor.” These pieces are durable and won’t break the bank.