Race: Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Avondale, AZ

Title Sponsor: Subway

Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 7:46pm/et

NASCAR Pre-race: FOX - 7:00pm/et

Television Race Coverage: FOX, 7:30pm/et

In the Booth: Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds

Pit Reporters: Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Matt Yocum, Krista Voda

Hollywood Hotel: Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond

SPEED's NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: 5:00pm/et with John Roberts, Kyle Petty, Kenny Wallace

Scheduled Race Re-Air Dates/Times:
Wednesday, April 14 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED

TV Listings, Links and Info:
Jayski's TV Listings Page
NASCAR on TV
Race Fan TV

This Week - Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite Radio

• motorracingnetwork.com

• sirius.com

• Practices:
  Friday, April 9, 1:10 - 2:55 pm/et, TV-SPEED

• Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Friday, April 9, 3:35 - 5:00pm/et, TV-SPEED

• Qualifying Draw: Friday, April 9, 12:10pm/et

• Qualifying: 2 laps for positions 1-42, Friday, April 9 at 7:10pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air at 1:00am/et;
  AND live via radio at MRN Radio only thru NASCAR.com.

• Newman wins at Phoenix: #39-Ryan Newman won the Subway Fresh Fit 600(k) at Phoenix International Raceway for his first win of the season and 14th of his career. Newman's win was his first with Stewart Haas Racing and first since Newman won the 2008 Daytona 500, when he was with Penske Racing. Newman is the first driver ever to win a race running the car number 39. See my Win by Car Number page for more on car number history. #24-Gordon, who was the leader when the race restarted under a green-white-checker finish, was passed by Newman at the restart and finished 2nd. #48-Johnson finished 3nd, followed by #5-Martin, #42-Montoya, #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards, #18-Kyle Busch (who was leading the race when the final caution came out with 3 laps to go), #33-Bowyer, and #20-Logano. Pole sitter #43-Allmendinger finished 15th. There were 9 cautions for 59 yellow flag laps and there were 20 lead changes among 13 drivers.
  See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Phoenix Race Results/Awards page.(4-10-2010)

• Sprint Cup Series Facts and Notes:
  • Ryan Newman won the 2010 Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway. It was his 14th series victory in his 303rd start. His last Cup win came at Daytona in February 2008, 78 races ago.
  • It was Newman's second top-10 finish in seven races in 2010 -- he finished fourth one race earlier at Martinsville.
  • Newman scored his first Cup victory at Phoenix in 16 races -- he finished 16th or worse in his previous four races there.
  • Newman was the 20th different winner in 28 races at Phoenix.
  • Newman led twice for four laps, including the final two.
  • Saturday night marked the first time the #39 has visited Victory Lane in NASCAR Sprint Cup history.
  • Stewart-Haas Racing scored its fifth series victory and first at Phoenix.
  • Matt Kenseth (sixth) posted the 600th top-10 finish for Roush Racing. Edwards, running in his 200th career Cup race (seventh), got No. 601.
  • Elliott Sadler finished 31st in his 400th career Cup race.
  (ESPN.com)(4-12-2010)

• Race Fast Facts - Phoenix International Raceway:
  Ryan Newman won the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600, his 14th victory in 303 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
  This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 2010. His most recent victory came 77 races ago in 2008 Daytona 500. It is his first victory since joining Stewart-Haas Racing.
  This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 16 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
  Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 17th top-10 finish in 23 races at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2010.
  Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 14 races at Phoenix International Raceway.
  Kevin Conway (33rd) was the highest finishing rookie.
  Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings by 36 points over Matt Kenseth.(NASCAR Statistics)(4-10-2010)

• 2010 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings:
  [after Phoenix, race 7 of 36]:
  rank, car#, driver, points, behind
  1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 1073
  2) #17-Matt Kenseth 1037, -36
  3) #16-Greg Biffle 981, -92
  4) #29-Kevin Harvick 961, -112
  5) #24-Jeff Gordon 948, -125
  6) #33-Clint Bowyer 885, -188
  7) #31-Jeff Burton 873, -200
  8) #99-Carl Edwards 873, -200
  9) #14-Tony Stewart 869, -204
  10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 866, -207
  11) #20-Joey Logano 862, -211
  12) #18-Kyle Busch 855, -218
  Chase for the Sprint Cup - Contenders:
  13) #5-Mark Martin 844, 11 points out of chase
  14) #2-Kurt Busch [1 win] 834, -22
  15) #98-Paul Menard 811, -44
  16) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win] 802, -53
  17) #83-Brian Vickers 786, -69
  18) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 783, -72
  2009 Chaser Drivers not in top 18
  21) #42-Juan Montoya 723, -132
  26) #9-Kasey Kahne 666, -189
  See standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(4-10-2010)

• Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Texas:
  30) #77-Hornish/Penske 625 +104
  31) #71-Labonte/Buckler 586 +65
  32) #78-Smith/Furniture Row 580 +59
  33) #38-Gilliland/Front Row 546 +25
  34) #37-Conway/Front Row 538 +17
  35) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 528, 7 points ahead of 36th
  these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
  36) #34-Kvapil/Front Row 521 7 points out of 35th
  38) #26-Said/Stremme/Latitude43: 426 -102
  37) #36-Bliss/Baldwin: 420 -108
  39) #13-Papis/Germain: 361 -167
  40) #90-Riggs/Key 304 -224
  The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race. For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(4-10-2010)

• Penalty Report - Phoenix:
  Car#, Lap, Reason, Penalty
  #2, 15, Outside half of the pit box tire violation/Team member not in contact with the outside tires, Tail End
  #9, 15, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #2, 15, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #56, 16, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #2, 24, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #1, 24, Pitting before pit road is open, Tail End
  #31, 190, Car pitting out of the assigned pit box, 1 Lap
  (NASCAR Statistics)(4-10-2010)

• Lucky Dogs - Who got a lap back on each caution at Phoenix: (and their finish)
  Caution 1: no driver down a lap
  Caution 1: wave around cars: none
  Caution 2: no driver on track a lap down
  Caution 2: wave around cars: none
  Caution 3: #46-Cook, 34th
  Caution 3: wave around cars: none
  Caution 4: #6-Ragan, 19th
  Caution 4: wave around cars: none
  Caution 5: #82-Speed, 21st
  Caution 5: wave around cars: none reported
  Caution 6: #78-Smith, 26th
  Caution 6: wave around cars:
  Caution 7: #78-Smith (2), 26th
  Caution 7: wave around cars: none reported
  Caution 8: #1-McMurray, 24th
  Caution 8: wave around cars: #11-Hamlin, #19-Sadler
  Caution 9: none, less than 10 laps remaining
  Caution 9: wave around cars: #31-Burton, #78-Smith, 71-Labonte. Others were referenced, but not named.
  NOTE: wave around cars are not always reported and not scored on results pages
  (4-10-2010)

• Start and Parks? Which teams parked their cars early in the race at Phoenix (or seemed to)?
  #66-McDowell, #55-Blaney, #35-Sauter, and #13-Papis all parked before the end of the race, but they all drove at least 149 laps.
  (only count a team with a history of start and park, not a wreck or engine blow and only if 25% or less of race completed)(4-10-2010)

• Pit Stall Selections - Phoenix: The selections of pit stalls for the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway have been made. Pole sitter #43-Allmendinger chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters].
  Outside pole sitter #82-Speed took pit stall 12, the first with an opening behind it.
  #77-Hornish, who starts 3rd took the 13th pit stall, the next stall with an opening in front of it.
  The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #5-Martin, who starts 23rd.
  To see where all the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Phoenix Pit Stall Selection chart.(4-10-2010)

• Race Coverage of the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is scheduled for Saturday April 10, 2010.
  Television (TV): FOX at 7:30 pm/et; pre-race show at 7:00 pm/et; green flag approx 7:46pm/et
  Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 128
  Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
  SPEED, Wednesday, April 14 at 12:00pm/et

• Some Chassis selections for Phoenix:
  #1-Jamie McMurray: Kevin "Bono" Manion decided to bring chassis #1008. This chassis has never been run before.
  #2-Kurt Busch: and crew chief Steve Addington and crew will be racing their "PRS-701" Miller Lite Dodge Charger at Phoenix this weekend. This chassis has been raced only once before. Busch started 24th, led laps and finished eighth in last October's Pepsi 500 at Fontana, Calif., in the car's only other outing.
  #5-Mark Martin: Alan Gustafson has chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-588 for this Saturday's race at Phoenix. This is a new chassis that never has been raced or tested.
  #12-Brad Keselowski: The #12 Abyss Dodge Charger team will use chassis PRS-716 during Saturday night's NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix. PRS-716 is a brand new chassis to the #12 team.
  #14-Tony Stewart: Chassis No. 14-535: This car debuted at Phoenix last April. After only being tested in the wind tunnel, Chassis No. 14-535 hit the racetrack in impressive fashion, as Stewart used it to qualify sixth and lead once for 19 laps before finishing second, which at the time was the best finish for Stewart-Haas Racing. Chassis No. 14-535 returned to another flat track via New Hampshirein June, but its time on the racetrack was short after it crashed in practice. It was repaired with new front and rear clips for its return trip to New Hampshire in September. There, Chassis No. 14-535 led four times for 52 laps before a loose axle cap forced an unscheduled pit stop, which resulted in a 14th-place finish. The November trek to Phoenix marked the car's third career start, where it qualified eighth and went from a possible top-10 performance to a disappointing 25th-place result when it was caught up in a multi-car accident
  #17-Matt Kenseth: primary chassis for the #17 Crown Royal Black Ford will be RK-645, with the backup being RK-569, no details
  #18-Kyle Busch: Chassis No. 251: Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 600k will be the third-ever start for No 251. This chassis made its debut at New Hampshire Speedway in Loudon last September, where Busch qualified third and brought home a solid fifth-place finish. Busch followed that up with a solid fourth-place run in last October's TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway after starting way back in the 41st spot.
  #19-Elliott Sadler: Chassis No. 609 has been prepared by crew chief Wally Rogers and the #19 Stanley team for this Saturday's event at Phoenix International Raceway. This is a brand new Ford Fusion specifically prepared for this race.
  #20-Joey Logano: The #20 Team is taking chassis #269 to Phoenix this weekend. This is a new chassis in The Home Depot Team's arsenal. The back-up car, chassis #250 was raced three times last season including the fall race at Phoenix and additionally in the fall events at Loudon and Pocono.
  #29-Kevin Harvick: will pilot Chassis No. 304 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. This Shell-Pennzoil Chevy is a completely brand new car which will see its first laps on the track during Friday's practice session.
  #31-Jeff Burton: will pilot chassis No. 280 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in this weekend's 375-lap affair. Built new for 2009, this Caterpillar Chevy was put through its first paces at Chicagoland Speedway last July where the 17-year veteran was credited with a 37th-place finish after being collected in a late-race multi-car incident. Burton then piloted this #31 racer at Kansas where he finished 23rd before posting a runner-up finish at Phoenix in November.
  #33-Clint Bowyer: will pilot Chassis No. 265 from Richard Childress Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable. Bowyer drove this Chevy twice last season, finishing sixth at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March and 36th at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. The Impala was completely updated over the offseason.
  #39-Ryan Newman: Chassis No. 39-536: The Subway Fresh Fit 600k marks the first outing in 2010 for this chassis. Prior to the 2010 season, Newman piloted this chassis at four races in 2009 – twice at Phoenix, and twice at Richmond. In the car's first outing at Phoenix in April, Newman was plagued by radio communication issues, which hampered his ability to tell the team what he needed to make the car better. Despite the radio issues, Newman drove the car from its 30th-place qualifying spot to a 16th-place finish. At Phoenix in November, Newman was able to drive the #39 Chevy from the 24th spot into the top-10. However, pit-road issues cost Newman and his team valuable track position and led to Newman being caught up in an on-track incident. Newman finished in 20th-place. In two races at Richmond, Newman finished fourth and 10th, respectively. During the offseason, the original body was cut off the car. The car was made lighter and the bodywork was rebuilt.
  #42-Juan Montoya: Pattie and the Target team will be bringing Chassis #909 to PIR. Montoya finished eighth in this chassis in last year's fall event at PIR.
  #43-A.J. Allmendinger: No. 277 has been prepared by Shiplett and the #43 Valvoline crew for this weekend's race at Phoenix. This particular chassis ran at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California in February.
  #48-Jimmie Johnson: Chassis No. 540 will be the primary for Sunday's event. Johnson won last fall's race at Phoenix International Raceway in that chassis.
  #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.: Crew chief Lance McGrew and the #88 crew will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-586. This is a brand new chassis that never has been tested or raced.
  #98-Paul Menard: Crew chief Slugger Labbe and the #98 Menards crew have prepared chassis No. 574 for this weekend's Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix. This chassis was run by the #98 team last season, but has not been utilized for any even in 2010.
  #99-Carl Edwards: Chassis: RK-647. This car last raced at Phoenix in Nov. '09, finished 16th.
  (from team PR's if reported)(4-9-2010)

• Lowest-finishing, non-wrecked car to be inspected: NASCAR has instituted a new postrace inspection policy for Sprint Cup races in which the first car out of the race that is not involved in an accident will be held for teardown, much like the cars that currently finish in the top five. That meant that Aric Almirola’s #09 Phoenix Racing’s Chevy was thoroughly inspected after the Las Vegas Motor Speedway race. His engine was taken to be torn down later this week at the NASCAR R&D center in Concord, NC. The policy is expected to impact the start-and-park teams – teams that typically bring a car but don’t have funding to run the entire event. These teams often are not in the top 35 in owner points, so they are required to qualify on speed. The new policy means it is likely that one of the cars that qualify on speed for every race will end up getting torn down. NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said Sunday the move was not to discourage start-and-park teams. “We’re just expanding our inspection process and making sure that everybody feels like everybody is on the same playing field, that’s all,” Pemberton said. “It’s all about making sure that the guys who get beat that don’t make the race understand that the guys who get in the race, for the most part, are doing everything right.” The move could cost these teams money, as they will have to pay for an engine rebuild that they might not have needed if they didn’t run many laps. Pemberton said the engine might not be torn down weekly but acknowledged it could cost teams $30,000 for a rebuild. That could lead to those teams racing more instead of risking the cost of a rebuild. Or it could lead to those teams not showing up if they can’t afford to have the motor rebuilt.(SceneDaily)(3-1-2010)

• NASCAR Revises Green-White-Checkered Race Procedure: NASCAR announced a revision to one of its race procedures, allowing a maximum of three restart attempts prior to the White Flag under NASCAR's Green-White-Checkered flag finish. If the leader has taken the White Flag and the caution flag is displayed, the field is frozen and the race will not be restarted. Previously, there was only one restart attempt. The new procedure will be implemented beginning with today's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Gatorade Duel at Daytona and will apply to all three national series. NASCAR officials met with drivers and teams Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway to discuss the change and get their input. The announcement was made during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' drivers and crew chiefs meeting Thursday morning. "We want to do all we can to finish our races under green flag conditions – the fans want to see that and so do the competitors," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "We felt that putting a cap at three attempts to finish the race under green is the way to go. It gives the fans what they want and it also gives the teams a better opportunity to prepare for their end of race strategy." The change amends procedure 9-14C of the 2010 NASCAR rulebook.(NASCAR)(2-11-2010)

• Jayski's - 2010 Sprint Cup Race Results Page and from last season: Jayski's - 2009 Sprint Cup Race Results Page
  (pole and race winner with speed and starting/finishing position, links to race results, drivers & owners points, pit stall selections, qualifying results/starting lineup, practice speeds and chase stats as well as link to race track and race information page for each race)

• NASCAR tweaks wave-around rule: NASCAR has tweaked its rule on wave-around cars under caution. The new rule now dictates that cars under penalty at the time of the caution are ineligible for the wave around. The change began last week with the Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway after a situation came up in the Nationwide Series race that was new to the double-file restart system instituted in June. In the Nationwide race, Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards was penalized for speeding under green, and then the caution came out. He stayed out and didn't pit and then was among those cars on the end of the lead lap. He then got the "wave around" the caution car (along with the rest of the cars that had stayed out and were on the end of the lead lap) to get to the rear of the line of lead-lap cars. Edwards then went to the end of the line to serve his penalty. That move would not be allowed anymore. The driver would not get the wave around and would start a lap down at the rear of the field on the restart, the penalty for a driver who had a speeding penalty under green but never served it before the caution came out. The new rule in general is any driver under penalty is no longer eligible for the wave around.(SceneDaily)(10-11-2009)

• NASCAR’s Robin Pemberton explains restart rules: NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton gave an explanation last June [2009] of the double-file restart rules. Here are excerpts of the conversation with the media and his answers to some questions ask.
  SD: What is the procedure for double-file restarts?
  Pemberton: “When the caution comes out, the field will be frozen as it is today. The free-pass car will be identified as it is today and it will be the same format. As the cars are gathered behind the pace car, the pit road is opened for leaders, the second time by it will be open for the lap-down cars, and that is how it is today. And when we come to the one [lap]-to-go [until the green drops], the cars that have elected not to pit that are lap-down cars that will be in front of the lead-lap cars that have pitted, will be waved around to join the field at the tail end. The lineup will be on the double-file restart, lead-lap cars to the front, lap-down cars, … then it will be the free-pass car, then it will be the cars that have been waved around and then it will be the penalty cars.
  SD: If a guy on the lead lap opts not to pit, he’s the leader?
  Pemberton: Correct. Still P1 [the leader].
  SD: Is there an option for the lead car to select which lane?
  Pemberton: When we give the 1-to-go, the leader throughout the entire race will get lane choice, high or low. He has to make that choice when we come to the 1-to-go at the stripe. One other thing we have added is the free pass will take place from start to finish throughout the entire race.
  SD: If a car on the lead lap pits a second time with the lap-down cars, does he restart with the lap-down cars?
  Pemberton: He will start in his respective track position how he came off of pit road. If you have a lead-lap car who makes multiple pit stops to work on his car, he is not in that lead-lap group that pitted that first-time by. He’ll be scored where he comes off pit road [with lapped cars]
  SD: The lap-down cars that don’t pit and the get the wave around the leader, do they get to come all the way around to rear of the field?
  Pemberton: That’s correct but they will not be able to hit pit road for tires and fuel. Pit road won’t be closed but they will forfeit their wave-around status if they hit pit road for tires and fuel.
  SD: At tracks like Martinsville and Bristol and you’re waiting for the 1-to-go, are you anticipating that the wave around could be hard to be completed?
  Pemberton: There could be issues. Every track has its different set of challenges. We’ll have to address those when we get to them. The whole field will be double file so they won’t be as strung out.
  SD: If multiple lead-lap cars stay out, do the lap-down cars that don’t pit still get waved around?
  Pemberton: The only way you can be waved around is if you are between the leader and the pace car. As pit stops take place, you need to be in front of the lead-lap cars. You get waved around regardless if you’re one or two or three laps down [or more].
  (SceneDaily)(6-7-2009)

• Phoenix Pit Stall Selections

• Allmendinger wins pole at Phoenix: #43-A.J. Allmendinger won the Coors Pole for the Subway Fresh Fit 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway with a speed of 134.675mph for his 1st pole of 2010 and of his career. #82-Speed will start 2nd followed by #77-Hornish, #47-Ambrose, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #20-Logano, #42-Montoya, #56-Truex, #99-Edwards, and #24-Gordon. The go-or-go homers who made the race (7): #66-McDowell, #87-Nemechek, #55-Blaney, #7-Gordon, #13-Papis, #90-Riggs, #35-Sauter, and #46-Cook
  The go-or-go homers who failed to qualify for the race (4): #26-Stremme, #09-Almirola, #36-Bliss, and #02-Ash
  See the starting lineup, qualifying speeds and notes on my Phoenix Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results page.(4-9-2010)

• Qualifying Fast Facts - Phoenix:
  A J Allmendinger won the Pole Award for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 with a lap of 26.731 seconds, 134.675 mph.
  This is his first pole in 87 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. His previous best qualifying effort, second, came at Auto Club Speedway in August 2008.
  This is his first pole and first top-10 start in 2010.
  This is his first pole in four races at Phoenix International Raceway.
  Scott Speed (second) posted his first top-10 start of 2010 and his first in four races at Phoenix International Raceway. This matched his best qualifying effort (Homestead Miami Speedway, November 2008)
  Sam Hornish Jr. (third) posted his first top-10 start at Phoenix International Raceway. It is his second in seven races this season. This is Hornish's best qualifying performance (fourth, Talladega Superspeedway, April 2009)
  Kevin Conway (42nd) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
  (NASCAR Statistics)(4-9-2010)

• Fastest Qualifier by Manufacturer::
  Chevy: #88-Earnhardt, Jr, 133.640, starts 5th
  Dodge: #77-Hornish, 134.198, starts 3rd
  Ford: #43-Allmendinger, 134.675, starts 1st
  Toyota: #66-Speed, 134.373, starts 2nd

• Coverage of Qualifying for the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is scheduled for Friday, April 9, 2010 at 7:10pm/et.
  Television (TV): SPEED 7:00pm/et
  Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) only on NASCAR.com
  Jayski.com: Jayski's Semi-Live Qualifying Page
  Qualifying Re-Air: 1:00am/et

• Qualifying Order for the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is posted. 47 cars/drivers are listed. Go-or-go homers will qualify at the end of the session, once the top-35 drivers are done.
  The first of the top-35 drivers scheduled to go out is #18-Busch.
  The final top-35 driver scheduled to go out is #9-Kahne.
  The first go-or-go homer scheduled to qualify [36th] is #7-Gordon and the final driver scheduled to qualify being #46-Cook.
  See the full qualifying order on the Phoenix Qualifying Page.(4-09-2010)

• Happy Hour practice: for the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is underway. After 75 of 85 schedule minutes of practice, the fastest:
  #24-Gordon, 131.444
  #43-Allmendinger, 131.224
  #39-Newman, 131.071
  #16-Biffle, 130.909
  #31-Burton, 130.895
  slowest: #02-Ash 125.440 & #38-Conway, 125.339
  There were several one car spins -- #18-Busch, #47-Ambrose, and #48-Johnson, but nonoe hit anything. #00-Reutimann and #26-Stremme scraped the SAFER barriers.
  See fastest speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Phoenix Practice Speeds page.(4-9-2010)

• Phoenix Happy Hour practice rank for the non top-35 drivers:
  if things stay the same, these eight drivers would make the race:
  #7-Robby Gordon, 20th fastest overall
  #87-Joe Nemechek, 21st
  #90-Scott Riggs, 26th
  #55-Dave Blaney, 27th
  #66-Michael McDowell, 28th
  #46-Terry Cook, 35th
  #26-David Stremme, 38th
  #36-Mike Bliss, 39th
  these drivers would miss the race if the order stayed the same:
  #35-Johnny Sauter, 41st
  #13-Max Papis, 42nd
  #09-Aric Almirola, 44th
  #02-Brandon Ash, 46th.(4-9-2010)

• Friday's first practice: for the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) at Phoenix International Raceway is over. The fastest:
  #11-Hamlin 131.210
  #66-McDowell 130.274
  #1-McMurray, 130.110
  #2-Busch, 130.025
  #88-Earnhardt, Jr., 129.992
  slowest: #38-Conway 124.473 & #02-Ash 124.361
  notes: #11-Hamlin ran 22 laps on four different runs before getting out of the car for Casey Mears to make a practice run. Mears got in the car to make sure he's comfortable if he needs to relieve Hamlin Saturday evening.
  Michael McDowell is in the #66 this weekend and Dave Blaney in the #55. The switch was made because Blaney usually runs more laps in the races for Prism and they are preparing the #55 for Talladega in a few weeks when Michael Waltrip will drive.
  #14-Tony Steward coming off turn 4 but didn't hit anything.
  See fastest speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Phoenix Practice Speeds page.(4-9-2010)

• Phoenix first practice rank for the non top-35 drivers:
  if things stay the same, these eight drivers would make the race:
  #66-Michael McDowell, 2nd fastest overall
  #09-Aric Almirola, 14th
  #90-Scott Riggs, 31st
  #55-Dave Blaney, 32nd
  #87-Joe Nemechek, 33rd
  #26-David Stremme, 34th
  #36-Mike Bliss, 36th
  #46-Terry Cook, 38th
  these drivers would miss the race if the order stayed the same:
  #35-Johnny Sauter. 39th
  #7-Robby Gordon, 42nd
  #13-Max Papis, 45th
  #02-Brandon Ash, 47th.(4-9-2010)

• The Entry List for the Subway Fit Fresh 600(k) Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway is posted, 47 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
  Not in top 35 of owners points for the first five races in 2010:
  #02-Brandon Ash (0/0)
  #09-Aric Almirola (2009 race winner as owner)(45/6)
  #13-Max Papis (39/6)
  #26-David Stremme (2009 race winner as owner)(38/6)
  #35-Johnny Sauter (48/2)
  #36-Mike Bliss (37/6)
  #46-Terry Cook (46/6)
  #55-Michael McDowell (41/6)
  #66-Dave Blaney (42/6)
  #87-Joe Nemechek (40/6)
  #90-Scott Riggs (43/6)
  In the event qualifying is rained out or cancelled:
  the eight who would make it [8]: #'s 26,09,7,36,13,87,55,66
  missing the race would be [4]: #'s 90,46,35,02
  See the full entry list at my Jayski's Phoenix Entry List(4-5-2010)

• Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Phoenix: There were no changes in the top-35 after Martinsville. #7-Robby Gordon lost ground and is now 54 points out of 35th.
  30) #77-Hornish/Penske 516 +109
  31) #71-Labonte/Buckler 504 +97
  32) #78-Smith/Furniture Row 495 +88
  33) #38-Gilliland/Front Row 482 +75
  34) #37-Conway/Front Row 466 +59
  35) #34-Kvapil/Front Row 461 54 points ahead of 36th
  these teams/ drivers must qualify by speed:
  36) #7-Gordon/RGM/BAM: 407, 54 points out of 35th
  37) #36-Bliss/Baldwin: 395 -66
  38) #26-Said/Stremme/Latitude43: 395 -66
  39) #13-Papis/Germain: 318 -143
  40) #87-Nemechek/NEMCO: 251 -210
  The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
  For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(3-29-2010)

• 2010 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings:
  [after Martinsville, race 6 of 36]:
  rank, car#, driver, points, behind
  1) #48 Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 898
  2) #16 Greg Biffle 884 -14
  3) #17 Matt Kenseth 882, -16
  4) #29 Kevin Harvick 837, -61
  5) #31 Jeff Burton 785, -113
  6) #2 Kurt Busch [1 win] 776, -122
  7) #24 Jeff Gordon 773, -125
  8) #14 Tony Stewart 770, -128
  9) #33 Clint Bowyer 747, -151
  10) #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 739, -159
  11) #98 Paul Menard 735, -163
  12) #83 Brian Vickers 734, -164
  Chase for the Sprint Cup - Contenders:
  13) #20 Joey Logano 728, 6 points out of chase
  14) #99 Carl Edwards 727, -7
  15) #11 Denny Hamlin [1 win] 710, -24
  2009 Chaser Drivers not in top 15
  17) #5-Mark Martin, 684, -50
  20) #9-Kasey Kahne 620, -114
  22) #39- Ryan Newman 612, -122
  25) #42-Juan Montoya 563, -171
  See standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page. (3-29-2010)

• What happens if qualifying gets rained out?
  After the 5th race of the season, the current season OWNERS points are used:
  #1) - First 35 by current Owner Points [position 1-35][top 35 teams do NOT need to attempt ALL the races]
  #2) - Last Years Sprint Cup Champ or the Event Champion if not already in the field
  #3) - Car Owners whose team has won in the previous and current season not already in the field
  #4) - Drivers who have won in the previous and current season not already in the field
  #5) - ALL Past Sprint Cup Champions not in by 1 thru 4 [is NOT charged against the 6 past champ provisionals]
  #6) - Qualifying Attempts [not starts] with Owners points as the tie breaker, if still tied then by best finish
  #7) - Qualifying Order Position
  (all above apply as long as the team was entered by the entry deadline - usually 7-13 days before the race)

• Qualifying Rules/Notes/News page

• Go or Go Home Drivers to Qualify Together: Teams outside the top 35 in owners points will qualify together at the end of the qualifying session. The thought is that nobody would have an advantage in track conditions.

• How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph

• How to break a tie during qualifying? (same speed/time) When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is broken by owners points standings (not drivers points).

• Determining Race Line-Ups - Top 35 Guarantee: At the start of the 2005 season, NASCAR instituted a new procedure for establishing the starting race field in the Sprint Cup Series [NSCS]. NASCAR revamped the system by simplifying the procedure with teams no longer accruing provisionals throughout the season to gain entry into the starting fields. While starting positions one through 42 in the NSCS still will be determined by qualifying speed, the new system will assure the highest-ranked 35 positions of the NSCS OWNER [not Driver] championship points that have entered the event prior to the entry deadline [usually 13 days before the day of the race] one of those starting positions in the field, providing they have made an attempt to qualify [which usually means the team at least practiced and made an effort to qualify].
  The remaining seven positions [36-42] will be assigned to those drivers with the fastest qualifying speeds whose car owners are not among the top 35. The final starting position [43rd] – the champion’s provisional – can be utilized by a car owner whose driver is a current or past Sprint Cup champion who participated as a driver during the current of previous season and was entered in the event for that owner in that car prior to the entry deadline.
  If there is more than one series champion vying for the position, it will be given to the most recent series champion. If the final provisional starting position – 43rd in the Sprint Cup – is not filled by a current or past series champion, it will be assigned to the next eligible car owner according to qualifying results.
  Through the first five races of the season for the Sprint Cup, the top 35 in the NSCS of the previous owner championship points entered in the event prior to the entry deadline will be assured one of the 42 starting positions in the field, provided they have made an attempt to qualify. From the sixth race on, the current owner championship points will be used to determine the top 35 each race week. In the event that conditions prevent qualifying from being run, starting positions will be assigned according to the respective series’ current Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)
  Simple: so the field is set by speed to where the 7th fastest non-top 35 driver is on speed. The any drivers in the top 35 of OWNERS [not drivers points] are placed to the 42nd spot. The 43rd spot is used for the most recent past Sprint Cup champion NOT already in the field from being in the top-35 in owners points or one of the seven no top-35. If their is not past champ for the 43rd spot, it goes to the next fastest [8th fastest driver]

• Past Champions Limited To 6 Provisional Berths in Sprint Cup: See my 2010 Past Champions Provisional Page for more

• Some stats from the first six races of 2010:
  .927 — The average margin of victory, in seconds, in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. 4 — Races that have had a margin of victory under one second. 12 — Average number of different leaders this season. 30 — Average number of lead changes. 33 — Number of different drivers who have led at least one lap. 113.4 — Jimmie Johnson's series-best Driver Rating. Only three drivers have a Driver Rating over 100.0 (Kurt Busch, 105.9; Jeff Gordon, 104.9). 53.9 — Percentage of cars that have finished on the lead lap. At the end of 2009, a NASCAR Sprint Cup record 51.9% of the cars finished on the lead lap. 796 — Number of passes by Kyle Busch, most in the series.(NASCAR)(4-1-2010)

• Some 'Passing' stats going into the Easter break / after 6 races:
  Year GFP GFPL
  2005: 13,744, 123
  2006: 17,556, 156
  2007: 18,632, 132
  2008: 17,413, 162
  2009: 15,813, 89
  2010: 22,432, 332
  GFP: Green Flag Passes
  GFPL: Green Flag Passes for the Lead
  (Stat has only been calculated since 2005)(4-1-2010)

• 2009 April Pole Sitter: #5-Mark Martin, 133.814mph, finished 1st

• 2009 November Pole Sitter: #48-Jimmie Johnson, 134.725mph, finished 1st

• Track Qualifying Record: Ryan Newman, 11/2004, 135.854mph

• Oldest Pole Winner: Mark Martin, 50 years, 3 months, 9 days, 4/18/2009

• Youngest Pole Winner: Kyle Busch, 20 years, 11 months, 20 days, 4/22/2006

• 2009 April Race Winner: #5-Mark Martin, 108.042mph, started 1st

• 2009 November Winner: #48-Jimmie Johnson, 110.486mph, finished 3rd

• Race Record: Tony Stewart, Nov 1999, 118.132mph

• Slowest Race Record: Al Kulwicki, 1988, 90.457mph

• Oldest Race Winner: Mark Martin, 50 years, 3 months, 9 days, 4/18/2009

• Youngest Race Winner: Kyle Busch, 20 years, 5 months, 11 days, 11/13/2005

• Most Wins - Active Driver: Jimmie Johnson, 4

• Most Wins - All Time: Jimmie Johnson, 4

• Most Poles: Ryan Newman, 4

• Most Top 5s: Mark Martin, 11; Jeff Gordon 8

• Most Top 10s: Mark Martin, 17; Jeff Gordon, 16

• Most Lead Changes: 23 - 11/5/2000

• Fewest Lead Changes: 1 - 11/4/1990

• Most Leaders: 13 - three times, last 11/5/2000

• Fewest Leaders: 2 - 11/4/1990

• Most Cautions: 11 - 11/7/2004

• Most Caution Laps: 66, 11/2/2003

• Fewest Cautions: 2 - 11/7/1999

• Fewest Caution Laps: 10, 11/7/1999

• Most on the Lead Lap: 29 - 11/2/2003

• Fewest on the Lead Lap: 3 - 10/30/1994

• Most Running at the Finish: 41 - three, last on 4/21/2007

• Fewest Running at the Finish: 27 - 11/5/1989

• Worst Starting Spot to Win: Ricky Rudd, 1995, started 29th

• Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 262 - Dale Earnhardt, 11/4/1990

• Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 10 - Kevin Harvick 4/22/2006

• Most Wins by a Manufacturer: 12 - Ford

• Races won from starting pos 1: 3 [of 27]
  
• Races won from starting pos 2: 3
  
• Races won from starting pos 3: 4
  
• Races won from starting pos 6: 2
  
• Races won from starting pos 7: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 9: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 11: 2
  
• Races won from starting pos 12: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 13: 2
  
• Races won from starting pos 14: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 15: 2
  
• Races won from starting pos 17: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 19: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 21: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 28: 1
  
• Races won from starting pos 29: 1
  
• Races won from the top 5: 10 of 27
  
• Races won from the top 10: 14 of 27

• At Phoenix International Raceway:
  · Construction was completed in January 1964.The facility consisted of a one-mile oval and a 2.5-mile road course.
  · Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix on Nov. 6, 1988.
  · The first spring race was held on April 23, 2005 and also the first night race, which was won by Kurt Busch.
  · There have been 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Phoenix International Raceway, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.
  · Geoff Bodine won the first pole in 1988.
  · There have been 17 different pole winners, led by Ryan Newman with four.
  · Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon are the only drivers to win consecutive poles. Newman won three straight (2002-04), while Gordon won the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007.
  · There have been 19 different race winners, led by Jimmie Johnson, with four. Johnson has won four of the last five Phoenix races. Mark Martin (spring 2009) won the other race in that span.
  · The race has been won from the pole three times: Jeff Gordon (spring 2007), Jimmie Johnson (fall 2008) and Mark Martin (spring 2009).
  · The race has been won from a top-10 starting position in 14 of 27 events.
  · Denny Hamlin won his first career pole at Phoenix in November 2005.
  · Ricky Rudd won the 1995 race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest back a race winner has started.
  · Mark Martin has 11 top-five finishes, more than any other driver. Martin (8.9 average finish) is one of three active drivers who average a top-10 finish. Jimmie Johnson (5.1) and Denny Hamlin (9.6) are the others.
  · Five of the last seven races have ended with a margin of victory under one second.
  · Two perfect Driver Ratings of 150.0 have been recorded at Phoenix. Kurt Busch did it with his win in April of 2005, and Kevin Harvick did it in November of 2006.
  * There have been 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Arizona.
  * 29 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Arizona.
  * There have been no race winners from Arizona in NASCAR’s three national series.

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PAINT SCHEME NEWS

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Car#/Driver	Sponsor/Scheme/Promo	Image Link
#00-David Reutimann	Best Western	#00 Team Schemes Page
#1-Jamie McMurray	Bass Pro Shops	#1 Team Schemes Page
#5-Mark Martin	GoDaddy.com	#5 Team Schemes Page
#11-Denny Hamlin	FedEx - March of Dimes	#11 Team Schemes Page
#12-Brad Keselowski	Abyss	#12 Team Schemes Page
#14-Tony Stewart	Office Depot Greener / EarthEra	#14 Team Schemes Page
#17-Matt Kenseth	Crown Royal Black	none...yet
#19-Elliott Sadler	Stanley Tools	#19 Team Schemes Page
#39-Ryan Newman	Tornados	#39 Team Schemes Page
#43-A.J. Allmendinger	Valvoline	#43 Team Schemes Page
#47-Marcos Ambrose	Kingford	#47 Team Schemes Page
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr	National Guard	#88 Team Schemes Page
#99-Carl Edwards	Subway	#99 Team Schemes Page

• Kingsford back on the #47: Marcos Ambrose is stoking the fire to heat up his 2010 Sprint Cup Series season at Phoenix International Raceway after collecting three top-15 finishes in six starts. Reliability issues have smoldered his JTG Daugherty Racing team's efforts, but Ambrose is poised to capture his first top-10 finish of the year in his #47 Kingsford Charcoal Toyota on Saturday. (JTG PR) Kingsford was the sponssr at Las Vegas and will be primary on an undetermined number of races this season. See an image of the car on my #47 Team Schemes page.(4-8-2010)

• Best Western on the #00 at Phoenix: The #00 Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing also will sport a new look as longtime partner Best Western becomes a first-time primary sponsor for a Sprint Cup Series entry. Best Western's relationship with Michael Waltrip dates back to 2004 when the World's Largest Hotel Chain became a primary sponsor for a Nationwide Series entry and served as an associate sponsor of Waltrip's Cup Series entry.(MWR PR), see a graphic of the car on the #00 Team Schemes page.(4-7-2010)

• Abyss on the #12 at Phoenix: Adorning the sides of the #12 Dodge Charger of Brad Keselowski this weekend is the cell phone application Abyss by Mobigloo. Available on all major cell phone carriers, Abyss is an original action puzzle game that challenges players to rearrange colored pieces by sliding them horizontally and vertically to create a path for the game's pearls so they do not fall into the abyss of the ocean.(Penske Racing PR)(4-7-2010)

• Valvoline back on the #43: Allmendinger has made three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway. Valvoline returns to sponsor Allmendinger's #43 Ford this weekend. Allmendinger finished 13th in the fall race in Phoenix last season.(RPM PR), see an image of the car on my #43 Team Schemes page.(4-7-2010)

• Crown Royal Black on the #17: This weekend at Phoenix, Kenseth will pilot the #17 Crown Royal Black Ford.(Roush Fenway PR)(4-7-2010)

• Growing Greener scheme for Stewart at Phoenix: Office Depot, co-primary sponsor of Tony Stewart and the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice team, announced that it is launching an innovative partnership with EarthEra, a program created by NextEra Energy Resources, North America’s largest producer of wind and solar power. To launch the partnership’s first program, “Greener Shipping”, Office Depot will balance the carbon footprint of the Subway Fresh Fit 600 race on Saturday, April 10, at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). Through its purchase of EarthEra products, Office Depot is helping the race “grow greener” by balancing the carbon footprint of not just the cars on the track, but fan travel, race team travel and track operations during the race. Due to the innovative structure of the EarthEra program, 100% of the revenue from Office Depot’s purchase will be used to create new renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar, in the United States – thus helping the country transition to a greener and cleaner energy future.
  The #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy driven by Tony Stewart will feature a special green-themed paint scheme during the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at PIR. The paint scheme will include the Office Depot and EarthEra logos on the car’s rear TV panel with a “Greener Shipping” message. The new Office Depot Greener Shipping Program encourages eligible Office Depot customers to “grow greener” by changing how they buy office supplies. When eligible customers eliminate small orders, increase average order size and help reduce delivery frequency, Office Depot will provide rebates on certain green products and purchase EarthEra products on the customer’s behalf.
  NASCAR and its partners share a commitment to preserving the environment. The sport has launched many programs to help it operate in an environmentally responsible way. A comprehensive green strategy for NASCAR and its stakeholders is focused on reducing the sport's carbon footprint and waste production while promoting conservation and sustainability messages to fans. Office Depot will balance the entire estimated carbon-dioxide emissions associated with the Subway Fresh Fit 600 on Saturday, April 10, at PIR by purchasing Green-e Certified Products from EarthEra. Green-e is the nation's leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions. Green-e certification ensures greenhouse gas emission reductions are real, verifiable, enforceable, permanent and incremental to the status quo. To learn more about Office Depot’s Earth Day Grow Greener campaign, please visit www.officedepotgrowgreener.com.(Office Depot/Edelman), see an image to the car and a link to the video wrapping the car on my #14 Team Schemes page.(4-6-2010)

• Hamlin & March of Dimes team up again: FedEx Racing and March of Dimes Team up for Babies: Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs and representatives from FedEx Office and the March of Dimes will unveil a special #11 March of Dimes/FedEx Office Toyota on Thursday, March 25 at the Joe Gibbs Racing shop in Huntersville. The car will run at Phoenix International Raceway in effort to raise awareness for the March of Dimes and March for Babies fundraising walks.(FexExRacing)(3-25-2010)
  UPDATE: FedEx Racing driver Denny Hamlin will drive a special #11 FedEx Office/March for Babies Toyota in the "SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600" at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 10, 2010 in effort to rev up the revenue for the March of Dimes and give every baby a healthy start in life. "This is the third year in a row that I raced the March for Babies car at the Phoenix Raceway," said Hamlin. "Last year we placed sixth and I'm hoping this year we'll win! I want to do everything I can to help raise awareness for the amazing work the March of Dimes does so that more babies are born healthy." The #11 FedEx Office/March for Babies® Toyota was unveiled today during a ceremony at Joe Gibbs Racing Inc. in Huntersville, N.C. Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs were on hand to reveal the special paint scheme for the Phoenix Cup race. During the race, Hamlin also will wear a helmet designed by Morgan, Preston and Chase Copeland. The triplets are the children of FedEx Office employee Alan Copeland and were born seven weeks premature in 2005. Today, their dad says, Morgan, Preston and Chase are healthy, active four-year-olds thanks to the March of Dimes-funded treatments and the medical care they received.(JGR), see image of the scheme on my #11 Team Schemes page.(3-25-2010)

• Sponsor debut for Newman at Vegas: While Ryan Newman embarks on his 299th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, he will also celebrate an important first for his #39 Stewart-Haas Racing team. Sunday’s Shelby American will be the first of nine races where new sponsor Tornados, a brand of family owned Ruiz Foods, will adorn the #39 Chevy as the team’s primary sponsor (SHR) at the following races:
  Las Vegas - 2/28
  Atlanta - 3/7
  Phoenix - 4/10
  Charlotte - All Star Race - 5/22
  Daytona - 7/3
  Michigan - 8/15
  Auto Club Speedway - 10/10
  Martinsville - 10/24
  Texas - 11/7
  See a schedule of races for Tornados on my #39 Team News & Links page and images of the scheme on my #39 Team Schemes page.(2-24-2010)

• Best Western to sponsor Reutimann: Phoenix-based Best Western will be primary sponsor of David Reutimann's #00 Toyota at Phoenix International Raceway next April.(Arizon Republic)(11-15-2009)

• More Paint Scheme news can be found on Paint Schemes Gallery

• Track Specifications:
  Track/Race Length: 1.0 mile oval, 375 laps, 375 miles/600km
  Pit Road Speed: 45mph
  Degree of Banking: Turns 1-2: 11 degrees; Turns 3-4: 9 degrees
  Frontstretch: Length: 1,179 feet, Banking: 3 degrees
  Backstretch: Length: 1,551 feet, Banking: 9 degrees
  Pit Road: Length: 1,140
  Grandstand seating: 76,812
  Opened: 1964 (first NASCAR Sprint Cup event was 1988)

• Attendence:
  November 2009: 90,000
  April: 80,000
  November 2008: 100,000
  April 2008: 100,000 November 2007: 105,000
  April 2007: 105,000 (as reported on NASCAR Race Results pages)

• Carry-In Items:
  Coolers: Allowed (one soft-side bag/cooler — limit of 6"x6"x12"; one, clear plastic bag — limit of 18"x18"x4"; plastic bags can't contain ice).
  Glass containers: Not allowed.
  Alcoholic beverages: Not allowed.
  Cameras/binoculars: Allowed; must be worn separately.

• Race Festivities/Officials:
  Grand Marshal: professional boxer Laila Ali
  Command to start engines: Laila Ali
  Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: ?
  Invocation: Ken Bowers
  National Anthem: Dr. Jesse McGuire
  Military Flyover: F-16s, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB
  

• For the season race officials by track, see my Race Officials page

• Track Websites:
  Phoenix International Raceway
  ISC Motorsports
  ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Phoenix International Raceway

• April 2009: see my Phoenix Race Info page

• November 2009: see my Phoenix Race Info page

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• Arizona Governor named Honorary Pace Car Driver: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has been selected as the Honorary Pace Car Driver and will lead the 43-car NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field to the green flag to begin the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 10. As the Honorary Pace Car Driver, Brewer will be a part of pre-race ceremonies, including driver introductions at the start/finish line. Once the starting command has been given, Brewer will lead the Sprint Cup field onto PIR's 1-mile oval for pace laps prior to the start of the Subway Fresh Fit 600. Brewer officially accepted the position and a ceremonial key to the Arizona flag-branded Chevy Camaro from four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon in a ceremony at the State Capitol on March 1. Tickets for the April 10 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 and all other events throughout the first NASCAR event weekend of 2010 at Phoenix International Raceway are still available at www.phoenixraceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(PIR)(4-8-2010)

• CRAVE potato chips debuting at Phoenix: CRAVE Potato Chips, the official potato chip of Phoenix International Raceway, will make its debut April 8-10 at the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 NASCAR event weekend. The new line of potato chips is the creation of former All-Pro linebacker and Arizona Cardinals player Jamir Miller, now CEO and Founder of Sack Time Snacks, Inc., based in Scottsdale, Ariz. CRAVE Chips will be available for race fans to sample on race weekend at PIR before hitting supermarkets.(PIR)(4-7-2010)

• Laila Ali named Grand Marshal for Subway Fresh Fit 600: Undefeated professional boxer, entertainer, and Subway national spokesperson Laila Ali has been named the Grand Marshal for the Subway Fresh Fit 600 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 10. Ali is a spokesperson for the Subway Fresh Fit for Kids campaign. The movement is designed to encourage children to lead an active, healthy lifestyle by getting the proper amount of exercise and fueling them with healthier Subway meal options. The daughter of all-time boxing great Muhammad Ali will work in conjunction with Sperber in welcoming fans, drivers, and teams to Phoenix for the first official night race of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. In addition, Ali will say the most famous words in racing, giving the command of: "Gentlemen, start your engines!" As one of the era's most recognized female fighters and a past IBA, WIBA, and IBWF Super Middleweight champion, Ali holds a career record of 24-0, with 21 wins by knockout – a stretch of unmatched ring success dating back to 1999. Tickets for the April NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com.(PIR)(4-6-2010)

• Tickets Remain for SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600: The thrill of NASCAR action at Phoenix International Raceway is just two weeks away, and tickets are available for each night of racing in the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 event weekend. Seats remain for grandstand areas and can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For added convenience, the Phoenix International Raceway Ticket Office will be open seven days a week leading up to the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ event weekend, giving race fans more time to buy tickets in person in the days before the green flag. The PIR Ticket Office will open for special hours on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, and again on Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4 (Easter Sunday), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Additionally, the PIR Ticket Office will remain open on Good Friday – Friday, April 2 – for normal business hours. Normal weekday ticket office hours leading up to the event are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for 2010 at Phoenix International Raceway can also be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(Phoenix International Raceway)(3-28-2010)

• Phoenix spring race to be longer UPDATE: The Sprint Cup event on April 10 at Phoenix International Raceway will go an additional 63 laps and miles on the one-mile oval, up from 312, The new distance will be 375 laps/miles, the longest race since PIR began hosting NASCAR in 1988. PIR measures its Cup races in kilometers, so it will be just over 603 kilometers, up from the previous 500 km. Official announcement of what will now be known as the Subway Fresh Fit 600 is expected this week. Ticket prices, which start at $25, will not increase. PIR's move is a direct result of NASCAR's switch to earlier starting times this season, reacting to a suggestion made by its national fan council and an attempt to boost TV ratings. PIR's green flag is scheduled for 4:30 pm/local, one hour earlier than last year. About two-thirds of what typically was a three-hour event ran at night, which was popular with spectators. That ratio would have been reversed without adding laps since sunset occurs just before 7:00 pm. PIR remains the first official night race on the Cup schedule. PIR's second NASCAR race, the Nov. 14 Chase for the Sprint Cup semifinal, will remain 500 kilometers but have a new title sponsor.(Arizona Republic), Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts was sthe sponsor of the fall race in 2009 and for years before.(1-12-2010)
  UPDATE: It will be a whole new race on April 10 when NASCAR visits Phoenix International Raceway for the first evening event of the season – new distance, new pit-stop schedules, new fuel cycles, and a new name. The brand new SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 will be the longest Sprint Cup event in track history, featuring 63 more laps (100k) of high-octane action at the same affordable cost that NASCAR fans have come to enjoy in the Valley of the Sun. The addition of 63 laps ensures that PIR's April race maintains its spot as the first official night race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season again in 2010. For consistency, NASCAR moved to standard race start times in 2010 and PIR's extra laps will make certain that the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 – which starts at 4:30 p.m. locally – will run well into the night under the desert sky. As mentioned, the 375-lap April 10 race under bright Saturday night lights will be the longest scheduled Sprint Cup event in track history, as each of Phoenix International Raceway's 27 Sprint Cup races dating back to 1988 were originally slated for 500k (312 laps) from green flag to checkered flag. PIR's November NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will maintain its distance of 312 laps – approximately 500 kilometers. To help celebrate this exciting new development in Phoenix International Raceway's rich NASCAR history, fans will have the opportunity to turn the first 600 laps of the new season at PIR on Saturday, March 27 – just five short weeks before the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600. How to participate? Just be one of the first 100 people to call 1-866-408-RACE (7223) and purchase a grandstand ticket to the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600 using the code-phrase "600 Under the Lights" and you can be one of 100 lucky fans to drive six laps on PIR's one-mile oval. Fans that call in after the first 100, as well as those who have already purchased their tickets, will also have the opportunity to drive the track at PIR. For more details, please visit www.phoenixraceway.com/600underthelights. Tickets for the April 10 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ – with prices as low as $25 – and all other events throughout the first NASCAR event weekend of 2010 at Phoenix International Raceway are still available at www.phoenixraceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).(PIR)(1-13-2010)

• New emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009)

• Past track news: posted in the past at Jayski's Past Track News/Rumors - Phoenix International Raceway

GOODYEAR TIRE NOTES

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Intermediate Radials

Number of Tires:
Sprint Cup: Left-side - 1,400, Right-side - 1,400;
Nationwide: Left-side -- 575, Right-side -- 575

Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4238; Right-side -- D-4240

Tire Circumference: Left-side -- 87.3 in.; Right-side -- 88.6 in.

Technical Inspection Inflation:
\ Left Front -- 20 psi; Left Rear -- 20 psi;
Right Front -- 30 psi; Right Rear -- 30 psi

Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 12 psi; Left Rear -- 12 psi;
Right Front -- 30 psi; Right Rear -- 27 psi

Estimated Pit Window: Every 75-80 laps, based on fuel mileage (Sprint Cup).

Notes: Teams in both NASCAR series in action at Phoenix this weekend will run the same tire codes . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in these two series ran at Phoenix last season . . . this is also the same tire set-up that Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams ran at Richmond in 2009 and will run again in 2010 . . . teams in these series ran this left-side tire code (D-4238) with a slightly different right-side code at New Hampshire last season . . . Nationwide teams also ran this left-side code at Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Memphis in 2009 . . . as on most NASCAR ovals one mile or less in length, teams will not run inner liners in their tires at Phoenix.

• 400th start for Sadler: Elliott Sadler will make his 400th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start this weekend. Saturday's event will mark Sadler's 17th career NSCS start at Phoenix International Raceway. "I honestly can't believe this weekend will mark my 400th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start" Sadler said. "I'm really fortunate to be able to be in this position. I get to do a job I really love, work with really great people and I've been able to win some races along the way. Its crazy though how fast time has gone by since my first full season in 1999."(RPM PR)(4-7-2010)

• 200 Starts for Edwards: #99-Carl Edwards is set to make his 200th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 10 in the Subway Fresh Fit 600. His first start came at Michigan International Speedway on August 22, 2004 where he started 23rd and finished 10th. In 199 starts Edwards has earned 16 wins, 61 top-five, 102 top-10 finishes and four poles. He has completed 57,461 laps and led 2,599 of them. His best finish in the point standings came in 2008 when he finished second, only 69 points from the championship. He has made the Chase four out the five years he has competed full time in the series. Of drivers who have started 200 races from 1972-present, only six have more wins that Edwards on their 200th start: Jeff Gordon (45), Jimmie Johnson (27), Darrell Waltrip (25), Tony Stewart (19), Rusty Wallace (18) and Bill Elliott (17).(Roush Fenway PR)(4-7-2010)

• New driver named for #90 Keyed-up Motorsports ride: Keyed-Up Motorsports team owner Raymond Key announced that Scott Riggs will drive the #90 Keyed-Up Motorsports Chevy at Phoenix and Texas. “We are thrilled to have Scott in our car,” Key said today. Riggs, the current driver for the #09 RAB Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will make his 2010 Sprint Cup debut at Phoenix in the #90 Keyed-Up Motorsports Chevy. The team started the season with Casey Mears behind the wheel, but Mears’ contract was for the first six races only, and he opted to be a back up driver for Denny Hamlin in the #11 FedEx Toyota while Hamlin recovers from ACL surgery. “Casey is a great guy and did a good job for us,” Key said. “Both parties fulfilled the 6-race deal and parted on good terms, we have even discussed the possibility of having Casey back later this year.” The team has qualified for only one (1) of the first six (6) races this season. Key added, “We had competitive speeds this year in qualifying attempts but the ‘Top 35’ rule has kept us from racing. We now look to Scott for his input on how we can succeed in getting into the top 35 in points with him behind the wheel.”(Keyed-Up Motorsports)(3-30-2010)

• Hamlin to have knee surgery on Wed UPDATE 2 surgery done: Surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in #11-Denny Hamlin's left knee will not limit the Sprint Cup driver behind the wheel for the next race, according to one of the doctors that will perform the operation on Wednesday. "I anticipate by the time he gets to Phoenix [April 8-10] he'll have a pretty normal knee for all intents and purposes," said Dr. Bill Heisel, who will assist Dr. Patrick Connor of OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, N.C. Heisel said the winner of Monday's race at Martinsville Speedway may be in some pain or discomfort for a few weeks after the surgery, but added that range of motion to use the brake or clutch won't be impacted. "He's going to feel something, even at Phoenix," Heisel said. "The big thing is to control the swelling to get the motion going. Straight ahead he should be pretty good. Obviously, what you don't want him to do is wreck the car. But I anticipate he's going to be able to clutch and brake pretty quickly." Heisel said the procedure will involve making tunnels through Hamlin's shin bone and thigh bone to pass the tendons from a cadaver into place and lock each end with a screw. He said physical therapy will begin immediately to improve mobility and strengthen the quadriceps, and that Hamlin will have to wear a brace for a while when not in the car. "He'll be back running in three months," Heisel said. Surgery was delayed until Wednesday after Sunday's race was rained out.(ESPN)(3-30-2010)
  UPDATE: Hamlin will only need clearance from his doctor to resume competing in NASCAR, according to officials with the sanctioning body. "He only needs to be cleared by his doctor, he needs for him to say it's OK for him to return … that he's good [to go]," NASCAR's Ramsey Poston, managing director, corporate communications, said Tuesday. While Poston said there's no formal paperwork that must be submitted, such as copies of Hamlin's medical records, the sanctioning body could request such records if there was a concern. That typically isn't the case, Poston said. As far as the use of painkillers or other medicine following surgery, Poston said "that's part of the conversation we have with any driver. Any misuse is a violation … it's pretty standard." Poston said it is unlikely officials would be concerned about Hamlin's ability to compete when he does return to the track. "We've had drivers [compete with] a whole lot worse than ACL [injuries]," he said. Dr. Patrick Connor with OrthoCarolina will perform the surgery [today].(SceneDaily)(3-31-2010)
  UPDATE 2: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, had successful surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee this morning. The surgery was performed by Dr. Patrick Connor with OrthoCarolina. Hamlin injured the knee in January prior to the start of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. He is expected to make a full recovery and will be in Phoenix as scheduled for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on April 10. JGR will have driver Casey Mears on standby should Hamlin experience any complications while driving in the race and need to be replaced in the car. "Denny had his surgery this morning and everything went well," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. "He will start rehab immediately and now we can concentrate on getting his knee back to the full strength. The doctors tell us it will improve with each passing week and that he cannot damage it by driving. We expect him to be in the car in Phoenix, but we're fortunate to have Casey Mears standing by in case he would need to come out of the car for any reason."(JGR)(3-31-2010)

• See the Sprint Cup Series Team / Driver Chart, which has links to past news for each team and info on each team.