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Hendrick cars look to extend Phoenix success

Earning his second track win this year could bolster Martin's title chances

Image: Mark MartinGetty 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.

11 to 20
No. 18 Kyle Busch: Rowdy qualified excellent, but struggled in race trim at PIR this spring. He should finish just outside the top 10.
No. 31 Jeff Burton: Burton has been awesome at PIR during his career. He has two wins and 17 straight top 15 finishes. He is a great choice for a strong finish on Sunday.
No. 26 Jamie McMurray: PIR had been one of Jamie Mac's worst tracks prior to his third place finish in last year's fall race. He will likely go with a setup similar to last November and barely miss the top 10.
No. 17 Matt Kenseth: Kenseth has finished in the top five in three of the last seven races at PIR, but he has struggled in the other four races. His inconsistency makes him a tough pick this weekend.
No. 1 Martin Truex Jr.: Truex Jr. has finished in the top 22 in six of his seven career starts at PIR. Another strong finish is expected.
No. 39 Ryan Newman: Newman has three top five finishes in 15 career starts at PIR, but he also has six 34th place or worse finishes. Use him at your own risk.
No. 9 Kasey Kahne: Kahne has averaged just a 27th place finish the past five races at PIR. He is a risky pick.
No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Junior led 63 laps at PIR in April, but fell off the pace late in the race for a disappointing 31st place finish. He is struggling so much lately we don't see him cracking the top 10.
No. 83 Brian Vickers: Vickers usually qualifies strong at PIR, but his finishes haven't been nearly as good. He will need little luck to crack the top 15.
No. 20 Joey Logano: Logano has finished inside the top 20 the past five races this season. We like his chances to do it again on Sunday.

21 to 30
No. 47 Marcos Ambrose: Ambrose has cracked the top 20 in both of his career starts at PIR. He is a sleeper option.
No. 33 Clint Bowyer: Bowyer had very little success at PIR during his career. He isn't a great choice.
No. 00 David Reutimann: Rudy has averaged a 20th place finish at PIR during his career. He should finish right around his average.
No. 12 Brad Keselowski: Keselowski wasn't great last weekend, but he is always a threat to pull off a top 10 finish. He is our favorite sleeper pick.
No. 6 David Ragan: Ragan had success at PIR last November. He should finish just outside the top 20.
No. 44 A.J. Allmendinger: Allmendinger has never cracked the top 15 at PIR. He won't be a factor this weekend.
No. 07 Casey Mears: Mears has been terrible at PIR during his career. Avoid him this weekend.
No. 77 Sam Hornish Jr.: Hornish Jr. ran a great race at PIR this spring. He should be decent again this weekend.
No. 19 Elliott Sadler: Sadler won't help your team, but he won't destroy it. There are far better fantasy options.
No. 98 Paul Menard: Menard has cracked top 30 in all five of his career starts at PIR. He is a decent budget pick.

Slideshow
Image:
  The Week in Sports Pictures
A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more.

more photos

31 to 35
No. 55 Michael Waltrip: Waltrip hasn't cracked the top 20 at PIR since April of 2005. We don't see him ending that streak this weekend.
No. 71 Bobby Labonte: Labonte has five top 10 finishes in the past 10 races at Phoenix, but that was racing for better funded teams. He won't have enough horses this weekend to be much of sleeper pick.
No. 96 Erik Darnell: Darnell has just one top 30 finish in his young career. He isn't an option.
No. 7 Robby Gordon: Gordon isn't an option this weekend.
No. 43 Reed Sorenson: Sorenson will be doing well to crack the top 35 this weekend.

Field Fillers
No. 34 John Andretti
No. 82 Scott Speed
No. 87 Joe Nemechek
No. 78 Regan Smith
No. 09 David Gilliland
No. 66 Dave Blaney
No. 02 Brandon Ash
No. 70 Kevin Conway
No. 36 Michael McDowell
No. 37 Tony Raines

Brownie's Picks

Top Four
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Tony Stewart
3. Mark Martin
4. Carl Edwards

Sleepers
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Martin Truex Jr.

Bust of the Week
Casey Mears



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