2007 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway

2007 Checker Auto Parts 500:

The 2007 Chase For The Cup is a great battle between Hendrick Motorsports teammatest as Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon are separated by just 30 points. This week Phoenix International Raceway takes center stage as the next-to-last race of the 2007 NEXTEL Cup season. Will Johnson or Gordon be able to get a little bit of a cushion before the final race in Homestead?

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office (602) 252-2227

Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)

The Track:

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.

Race Distance:

312 Laps = 312 Miles = 500 Kilometers

The Big Picture:

Jimmie Johnson took over the point lead last week in Texas with his third win in a row. Jeff Gordon is only 30 points back. Gordon won in Phoenix in the spring and will need another great run this weekend to stay close to the streaking Johnson.

Only the top three are mathematically in the hunt for the Chase as Clint Bowyer still has a shot to pull off the upset.

The top twelve:

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Jeff Gordon -30
3. Clint Bowyer -181
4. Kyle Busch -339
5. Carl Edwards -357
6. Tony Stewart -373
7. Jeff Burton -431
8. Kevin Harvick -439
9. Kurt Busch -453
10. Matt Kenseth -454
11. Denny Hamlin -524
12. Martin Truex Jr. -524

Storylines:

Since Johnson and Gordon will be only story in Homestead next week we look for a slightly different angle for Phoenix.

Although twelve drivers qualified for the 2007 Chase only the top ten get to go to the banquet in New York City Currently Matt Kenseth holds a 70 point lead over Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. but is only one point behind Kurt Busch in ninth. Two of these four drivers will get to go to New York while the other two will not.

Other great battles rage in the top twelve but this one is more meaningful than most.

Media Coverage:

TV: ABC Sunday, November 11th, 3:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 3:30 p.m. Eastern

Posted Awards:

$4,998,497

Previously...:

Last year Kevin Harvick dominated the race and completed the 2006 Phoenix sweep. Jimmie Johnson was able to apply pressure late in the race but rolled home second and extended his point lead.

This second place finish was Johnson's fifth consecutive top five finish in the 2006 Chase and a key moment as this gave him a 63 point lead going into the final race of the year.

Predictions:

This Sunday there is one obvious pick that has to be on everyone's Fantasy team. Jeff Gordon won here in the spring. His #24 Dupont team has been running well recently and, most importantly, Gordon needs to have a great run this weekend in order to put the pressure back on Jimmie Johnson in Homestead. I think Jeff Gordon will complete the 2007 Phoenix sweep.

While we are talking about Phoenix sweeps my backup pick this week pulled off that feat last year. Kevin Harvick had the magic combination in 2006 and won both NEXTEL Cup events here. In the spring of 2007 Harvick lead 54 laps and ended up with a top ten finish. Kevin Harvick makes a great backup pick this weekend in Phoenix.