Kevin Harvick won the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, scoring his 10th career NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory in his 213th career start.
Harvick moved into a tie for 50th on NASCARs All-Time win list, tied with Donnie Allison, Greg Biffle and Sterling Marlin.
This is Harvicks fifth victory in 2006. He also won races at Phoenix in April, Watkins Glen, second Richmond and second New Hampshire.
Harvick is the third driver in 2006 to sweep both races at a track this season. He joined Denny Hamlin (Pocono) and Kasey Kahne (Charlotte).
Harvick is the only Chase driver to score two victories in the 2006 Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup.
Harvick won five races in the first five seasons in his career (between 2001-2005). Harvick has five victories this season.
Harvick scored his second victory in eight races at Phoenix. Harvick has scored three top-10 finishes at Phoenix, all top fives.
Harvick is the fourth different driver to post back-to-back victories at Phoenix.
Harvick scored his 19th top-10 finish in 2006.
Harvicks victory today was the 23rd Chevrolet victory in 35 races in 2006.
Harvick led four times for 252 laps, leading the most laps for the third time in 2006.
Race winner Harvick led the final 30 laps in the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix.
This was team owner Richard Chidress 83rd NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victory. Childress has scored six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup victories in 2006.
The Championship
Five drivers All drivers are in the 156-point window which is the maximum points that can be gained or lost during a single race and remain mathematically eligible to win the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship in the final race at Homestead.
If Johnson finishes 12th or better or leads a lap and finishes 13th or better or leads the most laps and finishes 15th or better at Homestead, he will clinch the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship, regardless of any other drivers performance. Johnson has five victories in 2006 and would also win in case of a tie because of his six second-place finishes.
Jeff Gordon (-167) is mathematically eliminated from winning the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship as soon as Johnson starts the race at Homestead.
Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch are more than 190 points behind point leader Johnson and have been mathematically eliminated from winning the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship. Notebook Items
Denny Hamlin (third) scored his 19th top-10 finish in 2006. It was his first top-10 finish in three races at Phoenix. Hamlin was the highest finishing rookie for the 17th time in 2006.
Jeff Gordon (fourth) scored his 18th top-10 finish in 2006. It was his 13th top-10 finish in 16 races at Phoenix.
Carl Edwards (fifth) scored his 19th top-10 finish in 2006. It was his fourth top-10 finish in five races at Phoenix. The Chase
Jimmie Johnson (second) was eighth in points after the first four races in the Chase (after Talladega), then 156 points behind then point leader Jeff Burton. Johnson has gained 219 points in the last five races, the result of five straight finishes of first or second and is first in the point standings for the second straight race.
Stewart remained 11th in the Championship standings. He has a 323-point lead over 12th-place Carl Edwards who finished fifth. Stewart is mathematically assured the 11th-place points position and the $1 million payout.
Eight of the 10 Chase drivers finished in the top 10 at Phoenix.
Five of The Chase drivers changed points positions at Phoenix.
Five of the Chase drivers led at Phoenix earning valuable lap leader bonus points.
First and second are separated by 63 points with one race remaining. The top five in points are separated by 115 points which makes them all mathematically eligible to win the 2006 Championship.
Five of the nine races in the Chase have been won by Chase drivers
Matt Kenseth has scored eight top-15 finishes in the nine races in The Chase, the only driver to do so.
Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are the only Chase drivers to score nine top-25 finishes in all nine Chase races.
Jimmie Johnson has scored five top-five finishes in the nine Chase races, the most among the Chase drivers. Johnson has finished first or second in the last five races in the Chase.
Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon are the only Chase drivers to score six top-10 finishes in the nine races in the Chase.
Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to lead in seven of the nine races in the Chase.
Jimmie Johnson has scored 45 lap leader/bonus points in nine races in the Chase, the most among all drivers.
Jimmie Johnson is the only Chase driver to post seven top-10 starts in the nine races in the Chase.(NASCAR Statisical Services)(11-12-2006)
