2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway

2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500:

This Saturday night the NASCAR Sprint Cup series heads west for the first primetime race of 2008. Last year Hendrick Motorsports drivers swept both races at Phoenix International Raceway. Will the 2008 Subway Fresh Fit 500 see Hendrick Motorsports finally score its first victory of the season?

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:

Last week point leader Jeff Burton stayed on the lead lap all day long. He ended up sixth and maintained the 2008 point lead over Kevin Harvick.

Jeff Gordon suffered only the second 43rd place finish of his career. This caused him to fall five spots in the points and out of the top twelve. He was replaced in the top twelve by race winner Carl Edwards.

The top twelve are now:

1. Jeff Burton
2. Kevin Harvick -59
3. Kyle Busch -64
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -87
5. Tony Stewart -108
6. Jimmie Johnson -144
7. Denny Hamlin -152
8. Ryan Newman -164
9. Greg Biffle -164
10. Carl Edwards -184
11. Clint Bowyer -191
12. Kasey Kahne -191

Storylines:

The Subway Fresh Fit 500 is the eighth Sprint Cup race of 2008. Surprisingly we have not had a single Hendrick Motorsports driver visit Victory Lane yet this season. The last time that we got seven races into the NASCAR season without a Hendrick driver winning a race was way back in 2003.

Is Hendrick Motorsports losing its edge or is this NASCAR parity in action?

Media Coverage:

TV: FOX Saturday, April 12th, 8:00PM Eastern.

Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Actual Race: 8:30 p.m. Eastern

Recent Events:

2007 Winner: Jeff Gordon

2007 Polesitter: Jeff Gordon

Previously...:

The 2007 Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway was largely uneventful as the Car of Tomorrow returned for the third time.

This race did feature a good battle near the end of the race as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart traded the lead back and forth with just 12 laps to go. However Gordon had too much for Stewart at the end and took the win.

Predictions:

Phoenix is a difficult race track to predict. This race has seen some dominating performances and some first time winners. Pit strategy can come into play as we saw here last year. You just never know what to expect in Phoenix.

For my primary pick this week I am going with the 2007 winner of this event. Last year Jeff Gordon had the field covered in Phoenix. The team struggled last week but has a history of rebounding from struggles with great runs. I think Jeff Gordon makes a great pick this week.

For my backup this week I am looking towards the top of the NASCAR Sprint Cup points. Kevin Harvick has been strong at Phoenix in the past including sweeping both wins here in 2006. Harvick currently sits second in points and is on top of his game.