This is the week when NASCAR normally gets back to normal.
Phoenix is a nice, but not overwhelmingly distinctive track which hosts a Sunday afternoon race.

But if Daytona taught us anything, it’s that the new normal might be what we saw last Sunday, not what we might see this Sunday. Consider this.

In 2010, a pothole almost ruined the Datyona 500. Jimmie Johnson won his fifth straight title.

In 2011, Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500. Together, Paul Menard, David Ragan and Regan Smith won more races than Jimmie Johnson.

In 2012, Dave Blaney almost won the Datyona 500. Jimmie Johnson is almost two full races behind the 12th place team after one race and hearing rumbles about getting a wild card entry…after one race!!!

The only thing we know is that we don’t know much about the 2012 Sprint Cup season. And while I’m giddy to be up 110 fake dollars after Matt Kenseth’s win, I’m aware spreading the wealth drove me to victory. With that in mind, fake wagers for your entertainment only.

Ten fake dollars on Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin at 10/1

Kahne won here last year. Hamlin looked like the old Hamlin last week and likes short tracks.

Ten fake dollars on Brad Keselowski at 15/1
Twitter will love this pick. Dodge may not

Six fake dollars on Dale Earnhardt Jr. at 25/1
The #88 has had success here, and the streak has to end at some point. Right?? Maybe…

Five fake dollars on AJ Allmendinger at 30/1
Allmendinger has to get his first win at some point. Right?? Maybe….

Three fake dollars on Joey Logano and Kurt Busch at 50/1
Remember when Logano was NASCAR’s next big star? Now he’s fighting for a gig. Logano seems to have a new level of poise over the last fifteen races.  At these odds, why not?

As for Busch, fuel mileage can win races too.

One fake dollar on Regan Smith at 100/1
Only because nobody else is doing it.

One fake dollar on Bobby Labonte and David Ragain at 500/1
Only because it would make my year.

I’m not picking Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson. I am picking David Ragan and Regan Smith. Wow is the new normal weird. Here’s what The Spread thinks, and insert random catchphrase here.

Jimmie Johnson 7/1
Carl Edwards 7/1
Kyle Busch 7/1
Tony Stewart 7/1
Jeff Gordon 8/1
Kevin Harvick 10/1
Kasey Kahne 10/1
Denny Hamlin 10/1
Matt Kenseth 12/1
Brad Keselowski 15/1
Greg Biffle 18/1
Ryan Newman 20/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 25/1
Clint Bowyer 30/1
AJ Allmendinger 30/1
Martin Truex Jr 30/1
Mark Martin 40/1
Jeff Burton 40/1
Joey Logano 50/1
Juan Pablo Montoya 50/1
Jamie McMurray 50/1
Kurt Busch 50/1
Paul Menard 60/1
Marcos Ambrose 75/1
Regan Smith 100/1
Bobby Labonte 500/1
David Ragan 500/1
Field (Any Other Driver) 60/1