Down to the wire:
There are only two races remaining in the 2005 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and all eyes are focused on the drivers at the head of the pack. Tony Stewart leads by 38 points over Jimmie Johnson and the Championship will likely be decided between them. This weekend's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway will be critical in deciding The Chase.
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:
Tony Stewart leads Jimmie Johnson by 38 points as we head into the final two races of the season. Carl Edwards back-to-back victories has vaulted him up to third but at 77 points out he'll need the two guys in front of him to have problems in order to win the Cup.
Top Ten
- Tony Stewart -0
- Jimmie Johnson -38
- Carl Edwards -77
- Greg Biffle -122
- Mark Martin -123
- Matt Kenseth -135
- Ryan Newman -174
- Kurt Busch -281
- Rusty Wallace -315
- Jeremy Mayfield -407
Storylines:
Lots of team news this week. Ricky Rudd announced that he will retire at the end of 2005. Kenny Schrader is currently the leading candidate to replace him in the Wood Brothers #21.
Jamie McMurray was released from his Ganassi contract to go to the Roush Racing #97. In turn, Kurt Busch will be allowed to replace retiring Rusty Wallace in the Penske #2.
Bobby Labonte announced that he will not be back in the Joe Gibbs #18 in 2006. Look for him to turn up in the legendary Petty #43.
Media Coverage:
TV: NBC Sunday, November 13th, 3:00PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and XM Satellite
Actual Race: 3:40 p.m. Eastern
Posted Awards:
$4,870,213
Previously...:
Last year Dale Earnhardt Jr. survived a two lap green-white-checkers overtime finish to take the win. The win bumped Dale Jr from fifth up to third in the points with two Chase races remaining.
Also, new on the 2005 schedule was a spring race in Phoenix. Kurt Busch dominated earlier this year leading 219 of the 312 lap distance.
Predictions:
Roush Racing has been ruling NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing recently. With Kurt Busch winning here in the fall I don't see any reason to end the Roush streak. I think Kurt could run away with this race once again.
For my backup this week I'm going to pick a driver outside of the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. In the last four Phoenix races Dale Earnhardt Jr has four top five finishes including two wins. Earnhardt knows how to get around this flat one mile oval and is coming off a pair of top ten finishes in Atlanta and Texas. Dale Jr. could put his team back in victory lane on Sunday.
