Hendrick cars look to extend Phoenix success
Earning his second track win this year could bolster Martin's title chances
 Todd Warshaw / Getty Images When Mark Martin won the Phoenix race this spring, he had a near-perfect driver rating and an average running position of 2.1. |
|
 | Slideshow |
 | NASCAR champions Take a look at the drivers who have raced their ways to series titles since the circuit's inception. |
 | Slideshow |
 | NBCSports.com |
| INTERACTIVE |
 | NASCAR wives and girlfriends They're fixtures in pit row, but they don't drive on the track or work on the cars. Take a look at some notable NASCAR wives and girlfriends. |
| Slideshow |
 | NBCSports.com |
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series moves to Phoenix International Raceway for the 35th race of the 2009 season, the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500(k). Brian Brown took a look at past performances, season trends, and spoke with NASCAR contacts to predict how the field should finish on Sunday.
When
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009
3:31 p.m. ET
Weather
Sunny with a high around 73; wind out of the NE at 7 mph. There is zero percent change of precipitation on Sunday.
The Track
Phoenix International Raceway is a relatively flat (11 and nine degree banking in the corners) one mile oval. Hendrick Motorsports drivers Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have won the last five races at PIR. Kevin Harvick dominated both races in 2006, and the Busch Brothers won both races at the track in 2005. All five are options this weekend.
Key to Race: Which Hendrick Driver will win?
Hendrick Motorsports has dominated PIR the past few years. We anticipate all drivers from its stable will be fast. Roush-Fenway will also bring some quality cars to the race to challenge Hendrick's dominance at Phoenix.
Qualifying Procedures:
Forty-six cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Cars not in the top 35 in the 2009 point standings will have to qualify based on speed. Starting positions 1-43 are determined during qualifying on Friday, Nov. 13 at 5:45 p.m. ET.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet:
Top 5 NBCSports.com
No. 48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson has 10 top 10 finishes in 13 career starts at PIR. He won three of the past four races at the track and is our pick to win again this weekend.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Smoke has finished in top 15 in seven of the past eight races at PIR. He is a lock to crack the top 10 once again.
No. 5 Mark Martin: Martin has finished in the top 20 in his last 24 starts at PIR. He won the spring race and will be very fast again this weekend.
No. 99 Carl Edwards: Edwards has finished in the top 11 in eight of the past nine Phoenix races. He is a great pick this weekend.
No. 2 Kurt Busch: Busch has had a very fast sled at PIR lately. He will be in the mix to win.
6 to 10
No. 24 Jeff Gordon: Gordon won the April 2007 race and has 16 top 10 finishes in 21 career starts at PIR. We look for him to be very strong again this weekend.
No. 16 Greg Biffle: Biffle has led 349 laps in the past nine races at PIR. He should have the No. 16 ride inside the top 10 this weekend.
No. 11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has been very successful at PIR during his career. We like him to make the top 10 and with some luck could crack the top five.
No. 29 Kevin Harvick: Harvick has led 316 laps in the past seven races at PIR including wins in both the 2006 races. He is good bet to crack the top 10.
No. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya: Montoya has cracked the top 20 in three of the past four races at PIR. He should notch his first top 10 finish at the track this weekend.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
LowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM NASCAR / MOTORS |
 NASCAR / Motors Section Front |
| Add NASCAR / Motors headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links