NASCAR Cup Series

Why it's so critical for the Stewart-Haas Racing drivers to win early in 2016

Published Mar. 4, 2016 10:58 a.m. ET

foxsports

My favorite this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is going to be Kevin Harvick. I say that because of what happened last Sunday in Atlanta.

Just like a year ago at Atlanta, Kevin led the most laps yet didn't seal the deal and win the race. He and his No. 4 team went to Las Vegas last year with a chip on their shoulder with something to prove, and won.

I also look for him to be equally as strong next week at his favorite track in Phoenix. I look for this team to be super strong and get off to an unbelievable start for the 2016 season. I think they are really focused on getting to Victory Lane early this year. Not only does it pretty much lock them into the 2016 Chase; it then gives them the freedom to work on some things leading up to the Chase.

Truth is, they are no different than anyone else out there, other than Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson whom have already won. Kevin and the others want to win early and take that pressure off of worrying about qualifying for the Chase, because as we've seen as the races click by and a team hasn't won, the pressure just continues to build and build.

The other reason that Kevin and his gang want to get to Victory Lane early and lock in the Chase is that we already know from their announcement they are switching to Fords in 2017.

As time goes by during this year, you will see less and less data and information being shared with the teams at Stewart-Haas Racing, so they know they are basically on an island right now and have to win early.