NSCS Recap: Johnson Widens Chase Lead With Win At Phoenix

Jimmie Johnson celebrates winning the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil at Phoenix International Raceway, his seventh victory of 2009. (Photo credit: CIA STOCK PHOTO)
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

AVONDALE, Ariz.—From his fiasco in Forth Worth, Jimmie Johnson rose like a phoenix in—where else?—Phoenix.

A week after teasing his Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors with a 38th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway—his worst of the season—Johnson regained control of his championship run by winning Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Continue reading “Jimmie Johnson on doorstep of 4th title”

RACE RECAP | PHOENIX
10 David Reutimann
9 Jeff Gordon
8 Juan Pablo Montoya
7 Clint Bowyer
6 Kurt Busch
5 Martin Truex Jr. (pole sitter) first top 5 this season
4 Mark Martin
3 Denny Hamlin
2 Jeff Burton best finish of the season

VICTORY LANE

1 A week after wrecking at Texas, Jimmie Johnson went out and led the most laps (238) on his way to winning the race. Jimmie now leads the points by 108 and needs to finish 25th or better next week regardless of how Mark Martin does.

OTHER STORIES ON THE DAY

-A big wreck when Dale Earnhardt Jr. spun his 88 machine, collecting Bobby Labonte, Brian Vickers, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip and others.

-So we’ve got two points battles heading into Homestead / Miami. Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin, and Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch for that 3rd spot and a possible Hendrick Motorsports 1-2-3 points finish for the season.

PHOTO: CIA STOCK PHOTO

1 1 Martin Truex Jr.
2 2 Kurt Busch
3 48 Jimmie Johnson
4 9 Kasey Kahne
5 11 Denny Hamlin
6 16 Greg Biffle
7 18 Kyle Busch
8 14 Tony Stewart
9 07 Casey Mears
10 5 Mark Martin
11 55 Michael Waltrip
12 77 Sam Hornish Jr.
13 33 Clint Bowyer
14 24 Jeff Gordon
15 00 David Reutimann
16 44 A J Allmendinger
17 42 Juan Pablo Montoya
18 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
19 83 Brian Vickers
20 71 Bobby Labonte

Continue reading “Martin Truex Jr. sits on Phoenix pole”

NNS Recap: Carl Edwards Win Postpones Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Clinching Party

Carl Edwards celebrates winning the Able Body Labor 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, his fifth NASCAR Nationwide Series victory of the season. (Photo credit: CIA STOCK PHOTO)
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Carl Edwards won Saturday’s Able Body Labor 200 to postpone Kyle Busch’s formal NASCAR Nationwide Series championship clinching party for one week.

Continue reading “Edwards dominates, delays Busch title”

NCWTS Recap: Harvick Rallies To Win Truck Race; Hornaday Clinches Fourth Title

Ron Hornaday Jr. celebrates winning his fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship. Hornaday is the oldest driver to win a championship in NASCAR’s three national series. (Photo credit: CIA STOCK PHOTO)
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Kevin Harvick held off Kyle Busch to take the checkered flag in Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix International Raceway, but the big winner was Ron Hornaday Jr., who secured his record fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship with a fourth-place finish at the one-mile track, driving the No. 33 Chevrolet owned by Harvick.

Continue reading “Harvick wins, Hornaday becomes Champ”