2010 Subway Fresh Fit 600:
The 2010 Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway will feature 100 extra kilometers. While the race has been extended that doesn't change who the favorite is this weekend. Jimmie Johnson comes into Phoenix having won half the races held so far in 2010 and four of the last five Phoenix races. Now standing tall atop the points once again just how good is Jimmie and his Hendrick Motorsports team?
Tickets:
Speedway ticket office (602) 252-2227
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:
375 Laps = 375 Miles = 603 Kilometers
The Big Picture:
Two weeks ago Kevin Harvick had trouble once again and gave up his point lead to three-time 2010 race winner Jimmie Johnson. Harvick fell all the way to fourth in the standings.
At the other end of the top twelve Brian Vickers cracked the Chase standings replacing Kyle Busch who fell six places to sixteenth overall.
The top twelve:
- Jimmie Johnson
- Greg Biffle -14
- Matt Kenseth -16
- Kevin Harvick -61
- Jeff Burton -113
- Kurt Busch -122
- Jeff Gordon -125
- Tony Stewart -128
- Clint Bowyer -151
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. -159
- Paul Menard -163
- Brian Vickers -164
Storylines:
For the first time in 2010 four-time defending Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson is on top of the points. Just how good is he? This is a good time to review his impressive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stats.
- Swept the last four NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships
- Has never finished outside the top five in points in his eight full seasons.
- Won four of the last five races at Phoenix International Raceway
- Has only 27 career DNFs
- Career earnings over $90,000,000
- Won half (3 of 6) of the Sprint Cup races held so far in 2010.
Media Coverage:
TV: FOX Saturday, April 10th, 7:00PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and SIRIUS Satellite
Actual Race: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
Recent Events:
2009 Polesitter: Mark Martin
2009 Winner: Mark Martin
Previously...:
In 2009 Mark Martin returned to Victory Lane for the first time since October 2005. The 2009 Phoenix winner broke a 97 race losing streak with a convincing win from the pole in the 2009 Subway Fresh Fit 500.
Predictions:
For my primary pick this week I am going with the obvious favorite. Jimmie Johnson has found his way to Victory Lane in four of the last five Phoenix races. Until someone shows that they can be beat he has to be a top pick again this Saturday night.
For my backup this week I am going with a veteran racer with a rejuvenated career. Mark Martin leads all drivers with eleven top five Phoenix finishes. Mark won this event last year and needs a good finish to overcome the bad luck that has him mired deep in 17th place in the points. This is a good week for Mark Martin to get his season back on track.
