After a rare early season week off, the Nextel Cup competitors return to the track this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. While some of the drivers took advantage of the idle weekend to test other tracks, perform sponsor-related promotional work, or just rest, several of the Nextel regulars traveled south to compete in the Busch race in Mexico City.

This race was a big deal to NASCAR and I think it passed the test with flying colors. I really enjoyed watching the race and I enjoyed the outcome, Martin Truex, Jr won the race, even more. Kevin Harvick earned his third straight second place finish and the so-called “Busch Whackers” finished in three of the top six spots. Word is that NASCAR is already negotiating with the track and the city to return next year and the invariable talk of the Nextel cup competing at this track has already begun. I don’t know if it will be next year, but I would be willing to bet that we see Mexico City on the Nextel cup schedule in 2007.