Phoenix Rises in Qualifying: Mark Martin on Pole for Subway Fast Fit 500

Photo Credit:Tyler Barrick/Getty Images for NASCAR

 

With NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and crews receiving less than 4 days of time to decompress from the marathon event that was the 2012 Daytona 500, the Phoenix International Raceway approached as the second weekend on the auto racing series' schedule. Placing the first practice laps on the new 1-mile oval's surface Friday, the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams ready for their first non-restrictor plate event.

 

Early preparations for Sunday's Subway Fast Fit 500 in two Friday practice sessions indicated the Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota Camry were quick studies on the recently-laid Phoenix asphalt. In the first practice, Mark Martin in the #55 Aarons Toyota was second-quick behind Tony Stewart's #14 Chevrolet. In final practice it was the Michael Waltrip Racing cars driven by Martin Truex Jr and Clint Bowyer at the top of the speed charts.

 

During Saturday qualifying, Mark Martin justified Michael Waltrip Racing's strong practice session performances outrunning the then-pole sitting #78 Chevrolet of Regan Smith. Martin's lap time of 26.313 seconds and top average qualifying speed of 136.815 miles per hour was enough to repel the attack of Tony Stewart. Accepting the Coors Light Pole Award for the 52nd time in his NASCAR Sprint cup career, Mark Martin holds 2 wins in the series at Phoenix International Raceway. In Martin's pole at Phoenix in 2009, he led 157 laps to win for Hendrick Motorsports.

 

With Toyota taking its first pole of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, it was a fleet of Chevrolet Impala that took spots 2nd through 6th for Sunday's race. Tony Stewart, Regan Smith, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Newman are the members of the Bowtie Brigade wanting to claim Chevrolet first win at the Phoenix International Raceway since early 2010. The April 2010 win by Ryan Newman was the last of 10 consecutive victories for Chevy at the 1-mile Phoenix oval.

 

Rounding out the top-10 in qualifying is Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Kasey Kahne. The surprise winner of the fall Phoenix event for the now-sold Red Bull Racing team, Kahne was one of many drivers that dealt with uneasy travelling through the turn 3-4 complex in qualifying for the Subway Fast Fit 500. In order to salvage a 15th place starting position after qualifying after a slip in turn 3, the #15 Toyota piloted by Clint Bowyer would turn around on track and abandoned his first lap for better momentum in the second lap.

A short 312-lap event around the 1-mile desert oval track, the Subway Fast Fit 500 is set to start at 3 PM Eastern time.

 

2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup

Phoenix International Raceway
Subway Fast Fit 500
Qualifying Results

 

1. 55 Mark Martin Aaron's Toyota
2. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot / Mobil 1 Chevrolet
3. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row / Farm American Chevrolet
4. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet
5. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
6. 39 Ryan Newman WIX Filters Chevrolet
7. 16 Greg Biffle 3MWraps.com Ford
8. 29 Kevin Harvick Rheem Chevrolet
9. 20 Joey Logano The Home Depot Toyota
10. 5 Kasey Kahne Farmers Insurance Chevrolet
11. 31 Jeff Burton Wheaties Chevrolet
12. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Brown Toyota
13. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota
14. 9 Marcos Ambrose Stanley Ford
15. 22 AJ Allmendinger Shell Pennzoil Dodge
16. 15 Clint Bowyer 5-hour Energy Toyota
17. 47 Bobby Labonte Kingsford / Scotts Toyota
18. 43 Aric Almirola Smithfield / Allez Cuisine Ford
19. 51 Kurt Busch Phoenix Construction Services Chevrolet
20. 27 Paul Menard Menards / Tarkett Chevrolet
21. 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet
22. 83 Landon Cassill Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
23. 36 Dave Blaney Ollie's Bargain Outlet Chevrolet
24. 99 Carl Edwards SUBWAY Ford
25. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Filters Toyota
26. 17 Matt Kenseth Best Buy Ford
27. 23 Scott Riggs North Texas Pipe Chevrolet
28. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
29. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard / Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet
30. 24 Jeff Gordon Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
31. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Ford
32. 10 David Reutimann Accell Construction Chevrolet
33. 26 Josh Wise Morristown Drivers Service Ford
34. 34 David Ragan Barrett-Jackson Ford
35. 49 JJ Yeley America Israel Racing Toyota
36. 38 David Gilliland Rick Santorum for President Ford
37. 98 Michael McDowell Curb Records Ford
38. 87 Joe Nemechek AM/FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves Toyota
39. 7 Robby Gordon SPEED Energy / Bashas' Dodge
40. 33 Brendan Gaughan South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet
41. 93 Travis Kvapil Burger King / Dr. Pepper Toyota
42. 32 Mike Bliss Southern Pride Trucking / U.S. Chrome Ford
43. 30 David Stremme Inception Motorsports Toyota

 

Sam Hornish Jr Wins First NASCAR Nationwide Race at Phoenix

Photo Credit: Rainier Ehrhardt

Becoming the first major NASCAR touring series in inaugurate the new pavement for the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway, the NASCAR Nationwide Series suited up for the Wypall 200 Saturday afternoon unaware if the race track will develop the critical second groove.

With the #88 Chevrolet in the series, JR Motorsports Aric Almirola took pole for the Wypall 200 who proceeded from the afternoon start to lead the race's first 66 laps. As the green fell for the Phoenix International Raceway 200-lap race, the yellow flag flew quickly. On lap 1, one-time 2011 Nationwide Series championship contender Reed Sorenson driving the #82 Dodge slammed into the rear of Brian Scott's #11 Toyota into turn 3. Scott's car was launched forward into the out wall of the turn while Sorenson spun. Brian Scott was unhurt in the accident that would collect additional vehicles. Behind the two cars of the main incident, a second wrecked occurred relating to the #7 Chevolet of Danica Patrick checking up. Patrick's car was sent sideways and backed into the wall crippling her chances of a good race run. The race vehicles of Tim Andrews, Johnny Chapman, Matt Frahm and Jeff Green were also caught in the multi-car accident eventually retiring from the Wypall 200. Danica Patrick would keep running to finish 21st in the event 4 laps down to the leader.

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/ Getty Images 

Pit stops proved pivotal to the outcome of the Wypall 200 NASCAR Nationwide race at Phoenix as the tire stop by the JR Motorsports crew would rob Aric Almirola of the first lead. On the right rear corner of the #88 Chevrolet, lug nuts missed on the wheel resulted with considerable track position lost in the event.

Sprint Cup Series regular Carl Edwards' moonlighting run in Saturday's Nationwide Series race also suffered a pit road related slowdown. Stopping to the attention of his pit crew, the race setup of the #60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford Mustang caused the front end to dive. When the front end suspension did not rebound quickly, the work by the front tire changer was complicated as the tire was difficult to remove from the front fender well. While the #60 Ford recovered with a strong charge at the end, Edwards lost several positions which could be proven valuable late in the Phoenix race.

In a race that involved only three drivers leading, NASCAR Nationwide Series regular and overall driver title leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr led following Almirola's pit road gaffe in the #6 Ford. The Roush Fenway Racing pilot led for a race-high 73 laps before losing spot to Sam Hornish Jr's Penske Racing Dodge in what was the final lead change of the Wypall 200 race on the 140th lap.

Besides competing for victory in the second-to-last NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Elliott Sadler were head-to-head for the racing division's championship. Roush Fenway Racing driver Stenhouse entered Phoenix with a 17-point gap over Kevin Harvick Incorporated Chevrolet pilot Elliott Sadler. On lap 191 of the Wypall 200, a championship-determining action took place when the #2 Chevrolet of Elliott Sadler. Heading down the backstretch prior to the turn, Sadler roared by the Jason Leffler and Aric Almirola on the newly-paved backstretch apron. The #2 Chevrolet was bumped from behind by the Jason Leffler into turn 3. Spinning out Sadler, Leffler swept up the #88 car of Almirola into the outer wall. Morgan Shepherd and Jeremy Clements were also significantly damaged in the wreck that ended Elliott Sadler's title hopes in the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series. Finishing 5th in the race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr is comfortably going to be crowned the 2011 Nationwide Series champion by finishing 38th or better.

With Penske Racing teammate Brad Keselowski in tow, Sam Hornish Jr driving the #12 Dodge drove the final 19 laps to win the Wypall 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. Having made his first NASCAR event 5 years ago with the Nationwide Series (than-Busch Series) event at the Phoenix International Raceway, the former INDYCAR star Hornish Jr becomes a NASCAR race winner. Sam Hornish Jr also won two events in the IRL INDYCAR Series in 2001 and 2005 seasons.

Sprint Cup series regulars Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards and Joey Logano crossed the start/finish line 2nd through 4th for the Wypall 200. Rounding out the top-10 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is Trevor Bayne, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Truex, Justin Allgaier and Michael Annett.

The final race on the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule runs next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway During Ford Championship Weekend.

2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series
Wypall 200
Phoenix International Raceway
Race Results

12 Sam Hornish Jr. Alliance Truck Parts Dodge
22 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Dodge
60 Carl Edwards World Financial Group Ford
18 Joey Logano GameStop / Call of Duty MW3 Toyota
6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Ford Drive one. Ford
16 Trevor Bayne AirHogs.com Ford
33 Clint Bowyer Rheem Heating Cooling & Water Heating Chevrolet
20 Ryan Truex Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Toyota
31 Justin Allgaier Brandt Chevrolet
62 Michael Annett Oakley / Pilot Travel Centers / Flying J Toyota
70 David Stremme ForeTravel Motorcoach Chevrolet
87 Joe Nemechek AM/FM Energy Pellet & Wood Stoves Toyota
32 Ron Hornaday Dollar General Chevrolet
81 Blake Koch Daystar.com Dodge
34 Ricky Carmichael Monster Energy / QT QuikTrip Chevrolet
1 Mike Wallace I Hate Steven Singer! Chevrolet
9 Kenny Wallace TOYOTA Toyota
15 Timmy Hill Poynt.com / Lilly Trucking Ford
14 Eric McClure Hefty Black Out / Reynolds Chevrolet
52 Kevin Lepage Tilted Kilt Sports Bar Chevrolet
7 Danica Patrick GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
23 Robert Richardson Jr. North Texas Pipe Chevrolet
40 TJ Duke Merrill Lynch Chevrolet
51 Jeremy Clements Phoenix Automotive Cores Chevrolet
88 Aric Almirola Suave MEN / Fry's Food Stores Chevrolet
38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Chevrolet
2 Elliott Sadler OneMain Financial Chevrolet
89 Morgan Shepherd Victory in Jesus Racing Chevrolet
66 Steve Wallace 5-hour Energy Toyota
30 James Buescher Exide Chevrolet
19 Mike Bliss Millennium Salon / Spa Software & Elemnt Pymnt
28 Derrike Cope MAXelence.com Chevrolet
80 D J Kennington NPP/Clark/Whitemud Dodge
44 Jeff Green Tri Star Motorsports Chevrolet
82 Reed Sorenson Foametix / Bullet Liner Dodge
49 Mark Green Acredale Vending Chevrolet
47 Scott Speed Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet
46 Chase Miller Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet
71 Matt Carter Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
41 Johnny Chapman Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
11 Brian Scott Shore Lodge Toyota
4 Tim Andrews Go Green Racing Ford
39 Matt Frahm TSP Powder Coating Ford

Second Straight Nationwide Victory for Edwards at Phoenix

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/ Getty Images for NASCAR

With Brad Keselowski settling the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series title last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, the main focus through the final two races of this middle-level stock car tour was the racing action. The one-mile oval of Phoenix International Raceway supplies a quaint-essential mix of large track speed and short track competition.

Setting up 200 laps of Saturday afternoon action on the desert, Joey Logano secured the WYPALL 200 pole in morning qualifying. Breaking out to a lead through the first 24 race laps, Logano relinquished the first place position during pit stops made during the event's earliest caution for fluid originating from the #70 Chevrolet of Mark Green.

As several top vehicles pitted for fresh tires and fuel at this point of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the #35 Chevrolet of Tony Raines remained on track to lead when the WYPALL 200 resumed on lap 30. At a clear disadvantage on older tires, Raines was no match for the cars behind him on the restart. Aric Almirola was the first car to pass the #35 Chevrolet elevating the JR Motorsports #88 car to the front at Phoenix International Raceway.

Lasting for just 8 laps, Almirola's run with JR Motorsports (in preparation for a full campaign in the #88 Chevrolet in 2011) went far better than the drive of teammate Danica Patrick. Still learning the finer points of racing a stock car through her off time from the IZOD IndyCar Series, Patrick spent much of the race hovering in the low to mid-20s on track in the #7 Godaddy.com Chevy. While running respectively, an incident between the #7 Chevrolet and the #27 Ford of Alex Kennedy got into a shoving match on-track. While Kennedy got into the car of Patrick on lap 133, the IndyCar star demonstrated her knowledge of the fine art of payback on the following lap. While mostly harmless to both vehicles, Danica Patrick's contact with the wall 24 laps later. The #7 Chevrolet would finish 7 laps down in 32rd place.

On several occasions, Carl Edwards held a lead of multiple seconds over second place runners.
With Edwards' Roush-Fenway Racing #60 Ford in a class of his own throughout the WYPALL 200, Kyle Bucsh was holding down the runner-up place for much of the race distance. While able to lure the lead of the Phoenix event for 10 laps total on the day, this Saturday afternoon race would not be Busch's 13th victory on the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide calender.

Fighting for best of the rest for the event, Busch's hopes for a good run was deflated (literally) by a softening tire on his #18 Toyota. Three laps after radioing the problem, Busch pitted on lap 163 to receive four fresh tires from his Joe Gibbs Racing crew. The #18 crew returned the driver quickly but Busch would drop one lap down to the leader. Some additional concern surrounded the #18 Toyota in the late laps as light smoke was pluming from the Joe Gibbs Racing vehicle. Fortunately, the smoke dissipated through the final circuits of the WYPALL 200 and would not present any problems as Busch used the advantage of new tire to hard charge back up to the lead lap for 16th place.

Coming across the line 5.12 seconds ahead of Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards easy ride in Phoenix ends with his 4th win of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide season. Out front for 153 of this race's 200 laps, the impressive performance of the #60 Ford even surprised the driver.

Rounding out the top-5 for the WYPALL 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, 2nd place Kevin Harvick was followed by Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Reed Sorenson. In 6th place, Aric Almirola ended the NASCAR Nationwide Series backing up the 5th place finishing result after Friday's Camping World Truck Series event.

Almirola's effort in the #88 car did result in one critic, the driver of the #12 Dodge Justin Allgaier. While the #12 Penske Racing Dodge appeared destined to a strong top-5 effort running second early in the WYPALL 200, Allgaier realized his race car's performance faded in the last 50 laps. Dropping down the field but fighting to retain a top-10 result, the #88 Chevrolet of Almirola rushed the Penske Racing car of Allgaier in lap 193 into turn one. Sizing up the #12 Dodge on the inside, the #88 Chevrolet leaned on Allgaier while making the pass. Unhappy with the pass, contact after the checkered flag resulted with the #12 and #88 cars. Justin Allgaier did not appear outspokenly mad at Almirola but he was disappointed the driver of the #88 Chevy could not race him clean.

Next week, the NASCAR Nationwide Series tour will combat for the last time in 2010 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Ford 300 is set for late Saturday afternoon.     


NASCAR Nationwide Series
November 13, 2010
WYPALL 200
Phoenix International Raceway
Race Results

1. 60 Carl Edwards Copart Ford
2. 33 Kevin Harvick Rheem Solar Water Heaters Chevrolet
3. 20 Joey Logano GameStop/Afterglow Toyota
4. 22 Brad Keselowski Discount Tire Dodge
5. 32 Reed Sorenson Dollar General Toyota
6. 88 Aric Almirola GT Vodka Chevrolet
7. 16 Colin Braun # Con-way Ford
8. 12 Justin Allgaier Verizon Wireless Dodge 
9. 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. # Blackwell Angus Beef Ford
10. 66 Steve Wallace 5-hour Energy Toyota
11. 09 Brian Scott # Shore Lodge Toyota
12. 40 Mike Bliss Westerman Companies Chevrolet
13. 98 Paul Menard Richmond/Menards Ford
14. 17 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Ford
15. 84 Cole Whitt Red Bull Toyota
16. 18 Kyle Busch NOS Toyota
17. 23 Coleman Pressley R3 Motorsports Chevrolet
18. 15 Michael Annett Pilot Flying J Coffee Toyota
19. 35 Tony Raines BeAStockCarDriver.com Chevrolet 
20. 28 Kenny Wallace Iron Horse Jeans Chevrolet
21. 10 Ricky Carmichael Monster Energy Toyota
22. 11 James Buescher # Great Clips Toyota
23. 99 Ryan Truex Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
24. 27 Alex Kennedy LawMemorial.org/Sacred Power Ford
25. 05 David Starr Super Pawn Chevrolet
26. 81 Michael McDowell Red Line Oil/Drive Reply Dodge
27. 62 Brendan Gaughan Alliance Parts Toyota
28. 87 Joe Nemechek Gator.com Chevrolet
29. 01 Mike Wallace Suncore Industries Chevrolet
30. 83 John Borneman III Nicky Rottens/Borneman Plastering Ford
31. 21 Morgan Shepherd Victory In Jesus Chevrolet
32. 7 Danica Patrick GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
33. 38 Jason Leffler Great Clips Toyota
34. 00 Martin Truex Jr. Travis Pastrana Toyota
35. 79 Tim Andrews 2nd Chance Race Parts Ford
36. 49 David Green Jay Robinson Racing Chevrolet
37. 90 Danny O'Quinn Jr. D'Hondt Humphrey Racing Chevrolet
38. 70 Mark Green Iron Horse Jeans Chevrolet
39. 91 David Gilliland D'Hondt Humphrey Racing Chevrolet
40. 34 Charles Lewandoski Tri-Star Motorsports Chevrolet
41. 26 Brian Keselowski K-Automotive Motorsports Dodge
42. 92 Dennis Setzer K-Automotive Motorsports Dodge
43. 36 Jeff Green Tri-Star Motorsports Chevrolet

Carl Edwards Captures Phoenix Sprint Cup Race Pole

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/ Getty Images for NASCAR

The second to last race in the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway will be highlighted by a tight three-driver points battle for the championship. After 8 races in the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, Denny Hamlin holds a 33-point advantage on reigning champion Jimmie Johnson. Only 59 points out of the lead, Kevin Harvick (who led the points for much of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season leading up to the Chase) is still well within striking range of the Sprint Cup championship.

With 46 cars vying for the 43 positions during Coors Light Pole qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway, Carl Edwards emerged in the late proportion of the time trial session to obtain his 3rd 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup pole. Piloting his #99 Roush-Fenway Racing-backed Ford Fusion, the effort of Edwards defeated fellow Ford camp occupant AJ Allmindinger's #43 car. Lapping the one-mile desert oval in a record time of 26.395 seconds, Carl Edwards' margin of pole victory over the #43 Ford was just 0.027 of a second. 

As Allmendinger shot around the one-mile oval, he provided the second straight week for where a Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) Ford will start on the front row of the NASCAR Sprint Cup main event. Leading off with Elliott Sadler's pole at the last race in Texas, this late season performance is for sure offering a much-needed morale boost for the troubled race organization. The entire week leading up to Phoenix has been consumed with innuendo and rhetoric on the state of RPM believing the team is week-to-week. While plans for the 2011 season is still a big question mark for what form RPM will take in NASCAR Sprint Cup, the team has assured NASCAR fans their four-car stable will be present for the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In a press release, AJ Allmendinger bid strong kudos to the team behind his #43 Ford. “No matter what happens I’m just proud of everybody at Richard Petty Motorsports. There’s no secret of what we’re going through right now and it’s a tough time. All the crew guys here and all the guys at the shop listening and watching, they’re amazing people because it could easily tear this team apart." Allmendinger said.

Coming close to victory at Texas Motor Speedway last week, the Roush-Fenway Racing's #16 car driver Greg Biffle placed 4th fastest on the day to present three Fords in the top-4. Breaking a sweep was Kurt Busch and his #2 Dodge Charger. While Ford again shows some serious speed in qualifying, all four manufacturers were reasonably well represented with Jamie McMarray starting 5th on Sunday in an Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing Chevrolet and a #00 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota piloted by David Reutimann 6th.

A one-mile track, Phoenix International Raceway's flat-banking and configuration lends itself in comparison to many smaller tracks which Sprint Cup drivers would cut their racing teeth on as they progressed through the ranks. A few surprise qualifying runs came from some less familiar stars of NASCAR. Starting 8th, Regan Smith and the #78 Furniture Row Chevrolet flew around the Phoenix race track. One position below Smith, Aric Almirola took 9th place in the #9 Ford after only a handful of starts with the Richard Petty Motorsports team. In post race, Almirola commented "I was actually surprised at how fast it went for how bad it drove, to be honest."

As for the three drivers entering the Kobalt Tools 500 under the Chase points microscope, the best effort was posted by top-ranked Denny Hamlin in the qualifying session. Placing 17th in the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for a less than impressive time, Hamlin is starting at least four positions ahead his point rivals. In 21st place, Jimmie Johnson starts in the #48 Chevrolet and the #29 car of Kevin Harvick is seated in 29th place leading up to the flag Sunday. 


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Phoenix International Raceway
Kobalt Tools 500
Starting Lineup

1. 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
2. 43 A J Allmendinger Insignia HDTV Ford
3. 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge
4. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Scotch Ford
5. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
6. 00 David Reutimann TUMS Toyota
7. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Toyota
8. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
9. 9 Aric Almirola Budweiser Ford
10. 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
11. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Toyota
12. 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
13. 47 Marcos Ambrose Little Debbie/Safeway Toyota
14. 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
15. 17 Matt Kenseth Valvoline Ford
16. 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Mobil 1 Dodge
17. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Ground Toyota
18. 39 Ryan Newman U.S. ARMY Chevrolet
19. 98 Paul Menard Peak/Menards Ford
20. 14 Tony Stewart Old Spice/Old Spice Chevrolet
21. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet
22. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
23. 19 Elliott Sadler Paralyzed Veterans Of America Ford
24. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
25. 83 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
26. 09 Bobby Labonte C & J Energy Chevrolet
27. 82 Scott Speed Red Bull Toyota
28. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
29. 29 Kevin Harvick Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
30. 12 Brad Keselowski No. 12 Penske Dodge Dodge
31. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Diet Mntn Dew Paint 88/Natl Guard Chevrolet
32. 36 Dave Blaney Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
33. 26 JJ Yeley Air Guard Ford
34. 7 Robby Gordon Polaris Toyota
35. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
36. 55 Mike Bliss PRISM Motorsports Toyota
37. 37 David Gilliland Taco Bell Ford
38. 38 Travis Kvapil Long John Silver's Ford
39. 64 Landon Cassill Empire Steel Toyota 
40. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
41. 71 Brendan Gaughan South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet
42. 34 Tony Raines A&W All American Food Ford
43. 81 Terry Labonte Red Line Oil Dodge

Clint Bowyer Blasts to Truck Win at Phoenix; Bodine Locks Up Championship

Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/ Getty Images for NASCAR

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(November 12, 2010)


AVONDALE, Ariz.—Clint Bowyer didn't lose his touch during a three-year hiatus from NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series.


Driving Kevin Harvick's No. 2 Chevrolet, Bowyer won Friday night's Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway in his first start in the series since Oct. 20, 2007 at Martinsville.


Todd Bodine also had reason to celebrate. With a 12th-place finish at Phoenix, Bodine wrapped up his second truck series championship. He leads Aric Almirola by an insurmountable 202 points entering next Friday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.


Bowyer beat race runner-up Kyle Busch to the line by 1.039 seconds. Johnny Sauter finished third, followed by Matt Crafton and Almirola.


"Everybody back at the shop did such a great job building this thing," Bowyer said. "They were excited about it before we came down here, and any time these guys get excited about building a truck back at the shop, you know as a racecar driver that you're going to have a good hot rod, and we certainly did.

"I love this series, and I think this is some of the best racing we have in NASCAR. It's fun to be back in it."


Bowyer had the dominant truck in the early going. After taking the top spot from polesitter Austin Dillon following a restart on Lap 24, Bowyer opened a lead that reached 6.626 seconds before NASCAR called the second caution of the race on Lap 53 because of fluid on the track.


Busch led 25 laps in the middle of the race, but Bowyer reasserted his superiority after beating Busch out of the pits for a restart on Lap 67.


Bodine added the 2010 crown to his 2006 truck series title.


"Along the way, we had a lot of good luck," Bodine said. "Along with good performance, along with hard work, you've got to have good luck, and we had it this year. We did that. But the old adage is 'You make your own luck,' and this team has done a great job all year of doing that."


Note: Busch, who drives his own No. 18 Toyota, holds a 120 point lead over Bodine's No. 30 Toyota, fielded by Germain Racing, in the battle for the owners' championship.

Newman Takes the NASCAR Sprint Cup Night Race in Phoenix

The first night race for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup series season, the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway immediately presented an additional value to the NASCAR race fans. An added 63 laps or 100 kilometers to the 2010 race over the 2009 event opened the possibilities for what racing action could be seen on the one-mile oval. Starting amidst a blazing desert sun delivering a 90 degree Fahrenheit temperature the drop to 76 degrees by the time the race's final laps meant crew chiefs and drivers were bracing for multiple chassis adjustments during an newly-extended Sprint Cup event.

Led off by a pleasant surprise out of NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying of the previous day, AJ Allmendinger in the sentimental favourite #43 car of Richard Petty Motorsports. Allmendinger's Valvoline Ford would lead the first 17 laps before the time the first caution fell for a turn 2 collision between Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne slowed the event. The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driven by Denny Hamlin was also received damage through the incident. Racing just 10 days after knee surgery, Hamlin continued to race the entire race distance. The #11 Toyota came home 30th on the day.

Through the course of yellow flag, pitting cars opened up the lead position to some of the teams desperate to claim or retain top-35 in overall car owner points. The #55 Prism Motorsports car driven by Michael McDowell, the #37 Taco Bell Ford of David Gilliland and the #46 of Terry Cook all lead a lap before it changed hands to Ryan Newman. On the lap 23 restart, the Stewart/Haas Racing #39 Tornados Chevrolet of Newman was bypassed by teammate and car owner Tony Stewart. Having led for 15 laps in the early stage of the Phoenix Sprint Cup race, Stewart's #14 Chevrolet would fall down the running order through the event finishing 23rd.

The initial first half segment of the Subway Fresh Fit 600 saw the #42 Chevrolet driven by Juan Pablo Montoya leading the Sprint Cup cars around the 1 mile oval. Leading 104 of the circuits up to lap 190, the red Target Chevrolet of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing first grabbed the lead by passing Tony Stewart on lap 42. Helping Montoya maintain has lead was a long green flag stretch lasting 74 laps. While the #17 Ford Fusion of Matt Kenseth took the lead briefly on lap 133, the Roush-Fenway Racing driver surrendered the position back to Montoya after leading the single lap.

Montoya might have led early, but the second half of the Subway Fresh Fit 600 would see two other competitors emerge as dominate forces at the front. The first of these leaders would be 3-time 2010 Sprint Cup winner Jimmie Johnson. After a lap 149 restart, the Hendrick Motorssports #48 Lowes Chevrolet of Jimmie Johnson used a perfect launch on the outside of the double-file start to snatch the lead from the #42 Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing car.

After 2/3rds distance has been run in the 600 kilometer event, some of the top qualifying drivers found themselves deep in the field as their cars gave up handling through the changing conditions at Phoenix. AJ Allmendinger, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr are buried below the top 20. In the case of Earnhardt Jr who started 5th in the race, problems with a damaged front splitter brace caused the Hendrick Motorsports #88 National Guard Chevrolet to mishandle. Running in 26th and last at lap 256, Earnhardt Jr almost fell a lap down as teammate than 1st place Jimmie Johnson was closing on the #88 Chevrolet. Saving Dale Earnhardt Jr, caution was drawn in reaction to David Reutimann impacting the turn 4 wall.

After a round of pitstops occurring through the race's 7th caution for Reutimann's incident, Johnson led the field but stumbled slightly on the lap 261 restart. The sluggish start of the #48 Chevrolet was just enough for the #18 Toyota of Kyle Busch to hold close to Johnson. Four laps later, the #18 M&Ms Toyota found his way by Jimmie Johnson to take the first position. As Busch leads, Johnson dropped to second place under attack from an aggressive charge of Juan Pablo Montoya. In a spirited joust, Montoya drew alongside Johnson's #48 car through lap 263 into turn one. Eager to get by the Lowes Chevrolet, Montoya shoved his #42 Target car against Johnson's machine through the second corner. While inflicting damage minor damage on eachother, both Chevrolets surprisingly continued.

As the race entered into the last laps, caution came out with only lap 3 remaining for a stopped #90 Chevrolet in turn 3. Since taking the top spot, Kyle Busch would remain on front for 112 consecutive laps leading through the extended distance of the Phoenix race. However, with the caution flying in the final laps, Kyle Busch led the field to pit lane remembering the conclusion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Martinsville event 12 days ago. As the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota received four tires, seven other drivers including Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth, in company with their teams, elected to take only two tires.

On the green-white-checkered restart, the #24 car of Jeff Gordon selected the top side position for the double-file restart. Appearing as a sensible move by Gordon judging by early race restarts, the #24 Chevrolet with the #39 of Ryan Newman alongside as the green flew. Accelerating, Newman found all the traction he needed to pass the Dupont-sponsored #24 car. With the gamble paying off, Ryan Newman win the Subway Fresh Fit 600 ahead of Jeff Gordon. Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya crossed the line following Gordon to round out the top-5 finishers.

After holding the 1st place spot in the running order into the final caution, Kyle Busch's four-tire stop failed to produce the result which Denny Hamlin gained at Martinsville. Busch and his #18 Toyota settled with 8th at the finish. While neither Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch won, both drivers held the race's top position for 113 circuits leaving NASCAR to award the tied competitors each 5 point bonus for leading the most laps when the race wrapped.

Newman's win at Phoenix International Raceway marked a series of firsts for the South Bend, Indiana native in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. The victory is Ryan Newman's first at Phoenix, first with Stewart/Haas Racing as well as his first time winning with a Chevrolet. On top of all the before mentioned milestones, this is Ryan Newman's first Sprint Cup victory since triumphing in the 2008 Daytona 500.

In the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup points following the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway, Jimmie Johnson leads Matt Kenseth by 36 points. Big gainers in point positions are Phoenix race winner Ryan Newman and the #99 Roush-Fenway Racing driver Carl Edwards who both moved up 6 spots. Edwards now sits 8th in points while Newman rises to 16th.


Subway Fresh Fit 600
2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Race Results

1) 39 Ryan Newman      Tornados Chevrolet
2) 24 Jeff Gordon             DuPont Chevrolet
3) 48 Jimmie Johnson    Lowe's Chevrolet
4)  5 Mark Martin      GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
5) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
6) 17 Matt Kenseth     No. 17 Crown Royal Black Ford
7) 99 Carl Edwards     SUBWAY Ford
8) 18 Kyle Busch       M&M's Toyota
9) 33 Clint Bowyer     Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
10) 20 Joey Logano      The Home Depot Toyota
11) 47 Marcos Ambrose    Kingsford / Bush's Baked Beans Toyota
12) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet
13) 29 Kevin Harvick     Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
14) 7 Robby Gordon     Blake Shelton / Warner Music Nashville Toyota
15) 43 A J Allmendinger Valvoline Ford
16) 12 Brad Keselowski   Abyss Dodge
17) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
18) 77 Sam Hornish Jr.   Mobil 1 Dodge
19) 6 David Ragan      UPS Ford
20) 00 David Reutimann   Best Western Toyota
21) 82 Scott Speed      Red Bull Toyota
22) 16 Greg Biffle      3M Ford
23) 14 Tony Stewart     Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet
24) 1 Jamie McMurray   Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet
25) 31 Jeff Burton      Caterpillar Chevrolet
26) 78 Regan Smith      Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
27) 71 Bobby Labonte    TRG Motorsports Chevrolet
28) 90 Scott Riggs      Keyed-Up Motorsports Chevrolet
29) 98 Paul Menard      Moen / Menards Ford
30) 11 Denny Hamlin     FedEx Office / March of Dimes Toyota
31) 19 Elliott Sadler    Stanley Ford
32) 37 David Gilliland         Taco Bell Ford
33) 38 Kevin Conway     Extenze Ford
34) 46 Terry Cook       Whitney Motorsports Dodge
35) 2 Kurt Busch       Miller Lite Dodge
36) 34 Travis Kvapil    Long John Silver's Ford
37) 83 Brian Vickers    Red Bull Toyota
38) 87 Joe Nemechek     Petsmart / 21st Century Toyota
39) 9 Kasey Kahne      Budweiser Ford
40) 13 Max Papis        GEICO Toyota
41) 35 Johnny Sauter    Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
42) 55 Dave Blaney         PRISM Motorsports Toyota
43) 66 Michael McDowell PRISM Motorsports Toyota

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Jimmie Johnson Dominates in the Desert

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR



Making the perfect recovery from last week's 110 point loss at Texas Motor Speedway, the quest for vengeance drove the #48 Lowes Chevrolet Impala going into the penultimate round of the 2009 Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship. Starting third in the field, Jimmie Johnson was very much ready to return to common form during the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Hendrick Motorsports teammate and Sprint Cup championship challenger Mark Martin, on the other hand, would like to have another uncharacteristic stumble from Johnson to liven the hunt for the 51 year old veteran's first Cup championship.

The green flag dropped for the 312 lap race on the Phoenix one-mile oval under the supervision of Arizona Senator and 2008 US presidential candidate John McCain. polesitter Martin Truex Jr enjoyed only the briefest lead as his #1 Rain-X Chevrolet was overhauled by front row companion Kurt Busch on the first lap. Riding momentum form his win next week in Texas, Busch led 90 circuits around PIR until a racy Jimmie Johnson grabbed the front position as the field approached green flag pit stops.

After a round of green flag pit stops shuffled the lead back to Johnson, caution came out for the first time on lap 115 for debris. Attended to by a track clean up truck was on track, it should be noted that the piece of debris was not seen on television. Nonetheless, this much needed breather set up the first of two restart incidents in the race. As green returned on lap 119, missteps on the restart by some cars ahead in the double-file lineup caused an accordion effect that caught David Ragan, Brad Keselowski, Robby Gordon, and Michael Waltrip (the latter three cars sustained crash damage).

Johnson's Chevy continued to lead handily until a 3rd yellow flag dropped for debris (an unidentified piece of debris similar to the first caution). As the green flag fell on lap 167, two laps later the caution came out again for the biggest incident of the day at Phoenix International Raceway. Amounting from a Dale Earnhardt Jr losing control of his #88 Chevrolet on the low side of the track, an 8 car pileup ensued collecting Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, and again Brad Keslowski in the #12 Dodge. 2000 Cup Series champion Labonte, in his #71 TRG Motorsport Chevrolet, was immediately out of the race due to the extent of his race vehicle's damage. Tony Stewart faired better but could only muster 25th place through falling two laps down for repairs to the #14 car. As for Earnhardt Jr, he finished 56 laps down in 35th position likely taking solace that the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup campaign is almost over. With members of the Hendrick Motorsports #88 crew caught up on a non-serious traffic accident before the race, questions should surround whether Dale Earnhardt Jr is being haunted by jinx for 2009.

As the race went green at lap 178, it was all Jimmie Johnson who, with exception to a final pit stop exchange, led the Sprint Cup field uncontested to his 7th win of the 2009 season. Almost 2 seconds behind Johnson, the #31 CAT Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton quietly enjoyed their best finish in what has been a dismal 2009 season for the whole Richard Childess Racing organization. Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, and Martin Truex Jr filled out the remainder of the top 5 after 312 laps at Phoenix.

The win for the #48 Lowes Chevy was also the Hendrick Motorsport squad's 6th straight team victory at Phoenix International Raceway and 9th in a row for auto manufacturer Chevrolet.

While benefiting Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin have seen their chances dwindle for stealing the Chase Championship. While Martin can pose a risk to Jimmie Johnson at Homestead-Miami, Gordon's "Drive for 5" opportunity will be put to rest once the #48 car takes the green flag in the finale.

Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
Phoenix International Raceway
Race Results

1. Jimmie Johnson #48 Chevrolet (C)
2. Jeff Burton #31 Chevrolet
3. Denny Hamlin #11 Toyota (C)
4. Mark Martin #5 Chevrolet (C)
5. Martin Truex Jr #1 Chevrolet
6. Kurt Busch #2 Dodge (C)
7. Clint Bowyer #33 Chevrolet
8. Juan Pablo Montoya #42 Chevrolet (C)
9. Jeff Gordon #24 Chevrolet (C)
10. David Ruttimann #00 Toyota

11. Marcos Ambrose #47 Toyota
12. Kyle Busch #18 Toyota
15. Kasey Kahne #9 Dodge (C)
16. Carl Edwards #99 Ford (C)
18. Matt Kenseth #17 Ford
20. Ryan Newman #39 Chevrolet (C)
25. Tony Stewart #14 Chevrolet (C)
35. Dale Earnhardt Jr #88 Chevrolet
37. Brad Keslowski #12 Dodge
38. Brian Vickers #83 Toyota (C)

Edwards wins Nationwide race in Pheonix, Busch all but claimed Championship

Photo Credit: Christian Peterson/Getty Image



With Carl Edwards sitting in 2nd place in NASCAR Nationwide series championship points behind Kyle Busch, the only thing he can do with his #60 Roush Racing Ford is earn maximum points through winning the last two races and lead as many laps possible. In the Able Body Labor 200, Edwards did exactly what was required on his part to hold challenge to Busch. Edwards O'Reilly/Valvoline Ford led much of the 200 lap distance with the only other leaders through the PIR event were polesitter Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski. Apart from sharing the lead of the Able Body Labor 200, Hamlin and Keselowski's later demonstrated they were unwilling to share room on the track.

Continuing a rivalry stretching from earlier in the season, aggressive stock car rubbing from a restart where Hamlin used his #20 Toyota to tap the #88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet of Keselowski was reciprocated on in lap 157 when Keselowski spun out Hamlin through turn 4. JR Motorsports driver Keselowski finished 5th at the race's completion, prevailing over Hamlin who came home 12th. After the race, Denny Hamlin expressed in an interview he was unwilling to provide a soundbite to the incident but ended up providing one. "There's a lot of guys that have a lot of chips that they're going to cash in, I'm just going to be the first to the pay window." Hamlin said setting up what could be a moment of possible redemption at Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, it would not be surprising if NASCAR shares a word with both drivers before the Saturday Nationwide series finale.

While much of the race's focus rested on Busch and the 2009 Nationwide crown, the Able Body Labor 200 produced many performances worthy of mention. Behind Carl Edwards, Phoenix truck race winner Kevin Harvick came home second and third place belonged to a masterful performance by 2010 free agent Reed Sorenson in the Dollar General Toyota. The top 10 finishing order in Phoenix involved 8 of those drivers are qualified for the Sprint Cup show tomorrow. Only Mike Bliss in 8th and Steven Wallace finishing 10th were the only exceptions.

Kyle Busch had hoped to heist the Nationwide championship trophy triumphant, some early race contact with the #29 Chevrolet of Clint Boywer. With a 9th place finish against Carl Edwards' win, the finish failed to allow Busch to secure the necessary points to clinch the title at Phoenix. Angered by the missed opportunity to lock the championship, a disgruntled Busch characteristically declined to comment following the race. However, by just starting the Nationwide race next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway Kyle Busch will become the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion regardless of Edwards' performance.

However, Pheonix International Raceway served up another memorable victory celebration by the charismatic Carl Edwards. unable to do his trademark back-flips due to a frisbee-playing injury which caused a broken right foot, Edwards trumbled sideways for the crowd in the desert.

Denny Hamlin on Pole for Nationwide race at Phoenix

Qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway for the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series' Able Body Labor 200 continued to show the Joe Gibbs Racing colours in second-best stock car series. With Kyle Busch well-positioned to lock up his first NASCAR Nationwide championship with a 247 point lead, teammate Denny Hamlin bettered the championship-dreaming Busch's top time in noon hour qualifying at Phoenix.

Driving the #20 Gamestop Toyota which his brought 5 wins to Joey Lagono this year, Hamlin's run in the Nationwide series has been far less than expected from the veteran. Winning 2 poles for 2009, Denny Hamlin has yet to secure a top 10 finish in NASCAR Nationwide competition.

As qualifying progressed, Carl Edwards in 2nd and Harvick in 3rd have wedged themselves between the Joe Gibbs Racing cars. Rounding out the top 10 is Clint Boywer in 5th, Jason Leffler, Paul Menard, Mike Bliss, David Ragan and Reed Sorenson. Within 20 points of 2nd place Carl Edwards in Nationwide points, Brad Keselowski starts 17th at Phoenix.

Canadian driver Alex Tagliani will race later today for MacDonald Motorsports but will be starting shotgun on the field in a backup car. In qualifying, Tagliani spun his #81 Dodge through the turn 3-4 section of the race track making hard contact with the outside wall. Whlie Alex Tagliani was uninjured, the impact was severe enough bend the rear frame of the primary car.

The Able Body Labor 200 at PIR is scheduled to roll at 4:30PM Eastern time.

Harvick wins in Phoenix, Ron Hornaday Clinches 4th Truck Series Championship

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR



A big night for Kevin Harvick Incorporated (KHI) saw two trucks overcome early race adversity to complete a double victory in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' Lucas Oil 150. While Kevin Harvick personally netted his fifth Camping World Truck series victory by winning the 150 lap affair in the desert, him and wife DeLana Harvick also celebrated as car owners of the #33 Chevrolet Silverado piloted by acclaimed truck series points champion Ron Hornaday Jr.

Adding drama to Kevin Harvick's drive in his team's #4 Chevrolet truck, the KHI co-owner's race at Phoenix International Raceway was complicated when one of his tires touched an oil slick spinning out Harvick. Using his winning experience from last year's truck race on the 1 mile oval, Kevin Harvick possessed a quickened pace suited to passing the Toyota's of Aric Armirola and Kyle Busch to lead the late stages of the truck series event.

Clinching his 4th truck series championship, Ron Hornaday Jr's 2009 championship was supported by a considerable points lead gained contributed by a five-race winning streak. However, the past 2 months of racing kept the opportunity for challenger Matt Crafton to steal the truck top honours in mathematical reach (through the likelihood remained remote). Despite a pit stop violation penalty, Hornaday decisively claimed the championship by finishing in 4th place. The #33 truck more importantly finished ahead of Crafton's #88 Chevrolet to create a 215 point pad. Having won the truck series championship previously in 1996, 1997 and 2007, the 51 year old Ron Hornaday plans to hopefully add a 5th series crown with his KHI #33 team slated to remain the same into the 2010 season.

The Billy Ballew Motorsports duo ran up front through much of event with Aric Almirola leading NASCAR's current renaissance man Kyle Busch leading most of the 150 lap distance. While Busch's part-time campaign in the Camping World Truck Series tour has left him out of contention for the championship in that division of NASCAR for 2009, truck owner points places the #51 Toyota just 75 points behind the #33 KHI Chevrolet going into the Phoenix race. While Hornaday and KHI will claim the driver's title, Busch's 2nd place finish closes the gap to 60 points going into the season finale at Homestead-Miami next Friday.

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Truex Takes Pole in Phoenix

Photo Credit: Darrell Ingham/Getty Images



The second-last race of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season convenes on Phoenix International Raceway for an short, but important 312-mile Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 where every driver and team will fire their last salvos in the battle for stock car victory. The highest stakes reside in the Chase for the Sprint Cup as Johnson's disastrous race in Texas last week availed some opportunities to the his point race challengers.

Claiming his 3rd pole of 2009, the #1 Rain X-sponsored Chevrolet driven by Martin Truex Jr clocked the fastest time around the flat one-mile oval. Counting down his time with the Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing (EGR) team that started his Cup career, Martin Truex Jr has 2 races left in 2009 before joining the Michael Waltrip Racing organization for the 2010 season.

Hot off his suspenseful Texas win, Kurt Busch #2 Miller Lite Dodge posted second-fastest speed in time trials after drawing late run through the qualifying order. Though Kurt Busch 4th place seed in chase points sets him within 171 points to Chase leader Jimmie Johnson, Busch's ambitions are more logically centered on closing the 98-point gap on 2nd place in Sprint Cup standings. Penske Racing teammate Sam Hornish Jr has been mustering a good overall performance at Phoenix following an awful Texas Motor speedway. Qualifying 12th, Hornish showed some serious speed during topping the first Cup series practice in his #77 Dodge.

Third place in Phoenix qualifying, Jimmie Johnson is ready to surge back to prime form to lock by his 4th championship. With intense focus on the entire Lowes Hendrick Motorsport team, Johnson's time was likely greeted warmly by the entire #48 team. Even though the 12th place qualifying performance at Texas was not a disappointment, it could be argued that this sub top-10 starting spot positioned Johnson's #48 Chevrolet in his lap 3 accident.

In plotting the 9th round of 10 races of the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup, Jimmie Johnson's main competition Mark Martin as well as Jeff Gordon will roll 10th and 14th on Sunday afternoon. Not as much a fighter to Johnson but to Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart #14 car starts 8th and is only 7 points from Busch's 4th place Cup standings position. While posting 4 wins this season with his freshman Chevrolet team, Stewart would understanbly feel cheated by the fact that is pre-chase lead was evaporated by the 10-race playoff format of NASCAR's top series.

Regan Smith, Brandon Ash and Kevin Conway (who had prepped to pull triple-duty at Phoenix with his first start in the Cup series) failed to make the show for Sunday.

NASCAR Sprint Cup
Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
Starting Grid

Top 10

1. Martin Truex Jr #1 Chevrolet
2. Kurt Busch #2 Dodge (C)
3. Jimmie Johnson #48 Chevrolet (C)
4. Kasey Kahne #9 Dodge (C)
5. Denny Hamlin #11 Toyota (C)
6. Greg Biffle #16 Ford (C)
7. Kyle Busch #18 Toyota
8. Tony Stewart #14 Chevrolet (C)
9. Casey Mears #07 Chevrolet
10. Mark Martin #5 Chevrolet (C)


Other Notables

11. Michael Waltrip #55 Toyota
12. Sam Hornish Jr #77 Dodge
14. Jeff Gordon #24 Chevrolet (C)
17. Juan Pablo Montoya #42 Chevrolet (C)
18. Dale Earnhardt Jr #88 Chevrolet
19. Brian Vickers #83 Toyota (C)
20. Bobby LaBonte #71 Chevrolet
23. Max Papis #13 Toyota
24. Ryan Newman #39 Chevrolet (C)
25. Carl Edwards #99 Ford (C)
28. Matt Kenseth #17 Ford
31. Kevin Harvick #29 Chevrolet

NASCAR Sprint Cup: Phoenix's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 Preview

With only two race to go, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series streaks into the Arizona desert to wage battle on the tight one-mile oval of Phoenix International Raceway. Coming off the unpredictable race last Sunday in Texas, the Chase for the Cup championship has become a fight again following the race turmoil that presented itself onto Jimmie Johnson and the #48 Chevrolet. Under the most pressing attacks of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon, the spread between the three drivers are 112 points. Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart remains in mathematical contention but require an unrealistic breakdown of the key Hendrick Motorsports cars to make the 2009 championship a realistic possibility.

As much as the Sprint Cup Chase has captured headlines, Phoenix is the second to last chance for drivers to prove themselves before the season ends. One time championship contenders in the 2009 Chase for the Cup Juan Pablo Montoya and Carl Edwards. Having entering the NASCAR Sprint Cup series in 2007, Montoya has become a sensation through the second-half of the Sprint Cup season establishing himself and the #42 Target Chevrolet as a consistent front-runner. Having won 8 races in 2008, Carl Edwards have only 2 races left to prevent going winless in the #99 Aflac Ford 2009 season. Also noteworthy in this category is Dale Earnhardt Jr who is looking to shake the monkey off his back on the Phoenix racetrack which has been historically beneficial to the Kannapolis native. The past few months have allowed moments of excellence to shine from the #88 Chevrolet Impala only to be followed by a miserable finish as result of late race problems.

A track very favourable to Hendrick Motorsports, the Chevrolet juggernaut has swept the past 5 Sprint Cup series events at Phoenix International Raceway. Of those, 3 wins were captured by Jimmie Johnson's #48 team. 2nd place Mark Martin, just 73 points behind Johnson, enters Phoenix advantaged with most recent Cup series winner from the early spring race. Even more of a streak, Chevrolets has won past 8 Sprint Cup outings at Phoenix International Raceway.

The penultimate round of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season is set to start at 3:15PM Eastern time.

Tagliani to run Nationwide race at Phoenix

Photo Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR


French-Canadian racer Alex Tagliani is rejoining with MacDonald Motorsports team for this weekend's Able Body Labor 200, the NASCAR Nationwide show on the 1 mile oval of Phoenix International Raceway. Tagliani's second time to compete in NASCAR's second-highest touring series inside the #81 Dodge Charger, he's poised to make the most of his first Nationwide Series race on an oval.

Having made his maiden NASCAR Nationwide series voyage in Montreal's NAPA Auto Parts 200 race in August of this year, Alex Tagliani finished 26th following late race scramble on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

While the #81 car of Tagliani is guaranteed a starting spot for the Able Body Labor 200 based on a top 35 position in NASCAR Nationwide Series owner points, another Canadian driver will have to put more at stake at Phoenix International Raceway during qualifying. Daryl Harr, driving a Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet sponsored by Fuel-doctor.com will have to beat 3 of the 46 cars to race on the one-mile oval Saturday.

Back to Tagliani, through he has been wetting his feet in NASCAR waters, it's worth noting that his open wheel career is set to get rolling again in 2010. The 2009 Indy 500 has signed a long-term contract in August to run for the all-new FAZZT Race Team co-owned by Jason Priestley.