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NASCAR Natalie

Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
11/6/2008

Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
November 9, 2008 (Sunday) - 4:00 pm (ET) - ABC

Chase Watch - Report #9
Could this weekend's race at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) cause an upset with the top two drivers in the Championship chase; Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards? That is a big resounding 'NO.' Unless Jimmie Johnson decides not to show up this Sunday for the race, then maybe. I wish the chase would have been a little closer for the last two races to give NASCAR Nation that much deserved unexpectedness, but as with last season we are denied the suspense. Technically it is not over until the checkered flag waves at Homestead- Miami next Sunday. What are the odds the outcome will be any different than it has been the last two championship chases? Kudos's to Jimmie Johnson for tying Cale Yarborough's record for winning three consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championships.

Front Line Chasers
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 1st
Carl Edwards put up one heck of a fight last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway to tighten the points lead between him and Jimmie, but all that effort will have been in vain. Jimmie and his Lowe's Chevrolet have taken the checkered flag at Phoenix the last two times the Sprint Cup series has raced at PIR.

Jeff Burton
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 4th
Jeff has to be one happy race-car driver even if he doesn't win the chase this season. Jeff had a little taste of success last season with his win at Texas in the Spring and he made sure this season he performed even better. Jeff currently has two wins this season and he might possibly get one more this weekend if things play out to his advantage. Jeff's last two races at PIR resulted in two Top 10's.

Greg Biffle
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 3rd
2008 has been a phenomenal season for Greg and this weekend's race at PIR will add to the success he has received so far this year. Greg has inked two Top 10's his last two races at Phoenix and this Sunday will be no different.

Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 10th
Before this race for the chase is through, Kyle will have moved up two more spaces in the point's standings. This season's championship chase was given and then taken away from the Joe Gibb's driver, but this will not be duplicated next season. Kyle will be top dog at JGR in 2009. Kyle has two more races to show he has got what it takes to be a champion and he will be giving it all he's got at Phoenix. Kyle is another chase driver that likes to finish in the Top ten at PIR.

Last Lap Challenge Chasers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 6th
I don't know if Clint really thought he would do this well in his first chase for the championship, but all Clint's fans should be proud of his success and expect more of it in the future. Clint is still learning how to run this Phoenix track, but short tracks seem to favor him. Clint has knocked out two Top 5's and two Top 10's out of his six starts at PIR.

Bottom 25 Chasers
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 8th
It constantly boggles the mind to try and figure out how Matt does it, but every season he makes it into the Championship chase even if he has had a lack-luster pre-chase season. The down side to getting into the chase is that Matt can't seem to make it to the top in point standings. This weekend's race at Phoenix may possibly even put him down a spot due to his inconsistency at the one-mile track. Matt has raced at PIR for a total of twelve times and finishes in the Top 10 about 50% of the time.

Track Stats
Phoenix International Raceway (Avondale, AZ) - PIR
Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
(Sister Flat Tracks - Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Pocono, & New Hampshire)

Checker Auto Parts 500
(November 11, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Greg Biffle
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Tony Stewart
5. Ryan Newman
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Martin Truex Jr.
8. Kyle Busch
9. Jeff Burton
10.Jeff Gordon

Subway Fresh Fit 500
(April 12, 2008)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Clint Bowyer
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Carl Edwards
5. Mark Martin
6. Jeff Burton
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8. Martin Truex Jr.
9. Greg Biffle
10.Kyle Busch

Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com




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