Beccas Pace Lap

Phoenix International Raceway -- 04/18/2009

Author: Becca Gladden

Published: Friday Apr 17 2009 11:38pm

Becca's Pace Lap: Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway

• Front Row: Mark Martin (P1), Kyle Busch (P2)

• Pole Qualifying Speed: 133.814 miles per hour

• Highest Starting Rookie: Scott Speed - starts 18th

• To the Rear: While a few drivers did brush the wall during practice Friday, no one is known to be going to a back-up at this time.

• Fastest Qualifier by Manufacturer: (field set by points)
Chevy: Mark Martin (1st)
Dodge: Kurt Busch (3rd)
Ford: Paul Menard (7th)
Toyota: Kyle Busch (2nd)

• Outside the Top 35 Who Made the Field:
Dave Blaney
David Gilliland
Sterling Marlin
Joe Nemechek
Tony Raines
Scott Riggs
Regan Smith
Scott Speed

• Outside the Top 35 Who Missed the Cut:
Brandon Ash
Dexter Bean
Todd Bodine
Trevor Boys
Jeremy Mayfield

• Weather Forecast: Sunny, 83° F, SE winds at 8-12 mph.

• Race Notes:

Last year's race winner: Jimmie Johnson (April race)

Most recent winner here: Jimmie Johnson (November race)

Although weather will not be an issue in Phoenix in terms of rain, Saturday will be the hottest day of the race weekend with highs expected in the mid-80s, though the temperature will start to fall off after sunset.

Race start time is 5:46 PM with sunset at 7:02 PM. Drivers heading west down the frontstretch will have to deal with the direct sunlight glaring in their eyes until dusk.

Jimmie Johnson, who’s won three straight races at PIR, also topped the leader board in both practice sessions Friday and qualified 10th.

Ford leads all manufacturers in Cup wins at Phoenix with 12, although they’ve only won once in the last ten races here. Chevy has 11 wins, including seven straight and nine of the last ten. Neither Dodge nor Toyota has posted a Cup win at PIR, but Kyle Busch put Toyota in Victory Lane last year in the Nationwide Series.

Clint Bowyer could tie a modern-era record Saturday with 81 consecutive Cup races without a DNF. The current record-holder is Richard Childress Racing teammate Kevin Harvick. Bowyer hasn’t had a DNF since his rookie season in 2006.

Jimmie Johnson gambled on fuel last year to win this race after leader Mark Martin chose to pit for fuel while Johnson stayed out. Johnson won the fall race last year from the pole; Martin starts on the pole tomorrow.

Greg Biffle won Saturday’s Nationwide race and finished 9th in this race last year.

• Quotes of the Week:

“When we beat Jimmie Johnson to win a race, I’m going to feel like I beat Superman.” – Mark Martin, Hendrick Motorsports No. 5, regarding the competition with his HMS teammate, who’s won three straight at PIR.

“I like lemon pepper tuna and Triscuit crackers - that’s really good. My mom turned me on to both of those, actually. I always liked tuna, but I can eat a can of that for dinner and some Triscuits and I’m good to go.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports No. 88, on his favorite snack now that he is trying to eat healthier foods.

• Current oddsmakers' favorite:
Jimmie Johnson +400 (starts 10th)
Jeff Gordon +500 (starts 4th)

• Long shots to watch:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. +2000 (starts 15th)
Jeff Burton +3500 (starts 16th)

* All information current at press time

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gripex	I wonder who`s going to be able to keep up with tire track should be up front. Who`s good when the suns out and great when it`s dark