It’s down to a dozen.
After four drivers were eliminated last week, 12 remain for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. The Round of 12 begins Sunday night in Las Vegas with the South Point 400.
Kevin Harvick, who has dominated all season, earned the pole position Sunday. That was not good news for the rest of the field.
Harvick has won nine times this season, three more than his rival Denny Hamlin. His 19 top 5 finishes is also the most (four more than Hamlin) as are his 24 top 10 finishes (four more than Brad Keselowski).
He also has two wins in his career at Las Vegas, including one in 2018. He finished second here last year to Martin Truex Jr.
Can anyone beat Harvick?
Let’s see what The Eckel 4, which as always includes Scott “Tobacco Road’’ Baker, Mike “Left Turn’’ Sweeney and Barry “Dr. NASCAR’’ Davis, think.
Martin Truex Jr. (11-2): Three of “The 4’’ mentioned Truex, who is a co-favorite this week and has two wins in Vegas. “Left Turn’’ thinks the New Jersey native, who has finished in the top four in nine of his last 11 races, will be in Victory Lane.
Kevin Harvick (6-1): You can’t pass up those odds on the circuit’s most dominant driver. You just can’t.
Joey Logano (11-2): Another of the co-favorites this week, Logano won here earlier this season. That was enough to convince the Dr. he does it again.
Kyle Busch (10-1): Guess who picked Busch? “Rowdy’’ is 0-for-29 this season and I think “Tobacco Road’’ is 0-for-28 picking him to win. But if he didn’t pick him, you know what would happen.
Brad Keselowski (11-2): The third of the tri-favorites, Keselowski was mentioned by two of “The 4’’. He has three wins in Vegas, the most recent in 2018. He’s also finished in the top 7 in his last 10 races here.