2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway

The 2006 Chase For The Cup is virtually a dead heat as Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth are separated by just 17 points. This week Phoenix International Raceway takes center stage as the next-to-last race of the 2006 NEXTEL Cup season. Can one of those two drivers get a little bit of a cushion before Homestead? Or will fate throw them a curve and open the door for the rest of the top five?

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Turn one is sharp with just 11 degrees of banking while turns 3 and 4 are long and sweeping with just 9 degrees of banking. Phoenix also features a unique "kink" in the backstretch that serves to tighten up the backstretch and limit passing.

These challenging specs means that your car has to handle well in order to survive a long 500 kilometer race there. It is possible to pass if you are faster, but there is no outside groove for side-by-side racing.

312 Laps = 312 Miles = 500 Kilometers

Jimmie Johnson took over the point lead last week in Texas as Matt Kenseth's 12th place run caused him to drop to second overall. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick are still in this battle as well.

1. Jimmie Johnson -0
2. Matt Kenseth -17
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -78
4. Denny Hamlin -80
5. Kevin Harvick -105
6. Jeff Gordon -157
7. Jeff Burton -184
8. Kyle Busch -233
9. Mark Martin -253
10. Kasey Kahne -290

Tony Stewart has scored more points in the 2006 Chase than any of the drivers that are actually in The Chase. Tony has three wins in the eight Chase races held so far this year yet no matter how well he runs the best he can finish in the points is eleventh.

This is an unfortunate side-effect of The Chase format. While it guarantees a close point battle some very talented and popular drivers often get excluded. This year defending Champ Tony Stewart didn't make it. Last year Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon were out. Does NASCAR need to make changes to ensure that all of the top drivers make The Chase?

TV: NBC Sunday, November 12th, 3:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and XM Satellite

Actual Race: 3:25 p.m. Eastern

$4,892,924

After the race day suspension of Kurt Busch by his team owner Jack Roush there was a lot to talk about last year.

The on track activity was just as exciting as Greg Biffle lead most of the day and seemed sure to score the win. He passed Kurt's younger brother Kyle Busch for the lead with 31 laps to go and seemed ready to roll to the easy win. However, Kyle was able to mount a charge and get back around Biffle to take the Phoenix victory.

Tony Stewart has won the last two races of the 2006 NEXTEL Cup season. Plus he finished second here in the spring again proving that he is a force week in and week out. This team is fully capable of winning the rest of the 2006 races. Tony Stewart is my top pick for this week.

For a backup I'm going back into The Chase drivers. Dale Earnhardt Jr. scored back-to-back Phoenix wins in 2003 and 2004. Plus he has been putting together strong runs lately with back-to-back top ten finishes in Atlanta and Texas. Currently third in points, Junior's 2006 Chase hopes may not be quite over yet if he can post a convincing win this week in Phoenix.